The Italian President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, in his New Year’s message which was broadcast a while ago by all the public and the largest private channels of the country, referred to the main challenges facing Italy and the whole world.

Speaking about the war in Ukraine and the Russian invasion, as well as the dramatic situation in the Middle East, the Italian president stressed that “there is a risk of getting used to this atrocity” and added that “there is an absolute need to emphasize the culture of peace and in the way of thinking that characterizes it”.

“Peace must be pursued by governments, first of all those that caused the outbreak of armed conflicts” because “we must live recognizing the rights of others, recognizing that their freedom complements ours,” Mattarella said.

Referring to the huge wound of violence against women, he underlined that “young people must know that love means more than respect, that love is a gift and sensitivity”. The Italian president, in his speech from the Quirinale Palace, also wanted to emphasize the problems of poorly paid work, work accidents, long waiting lists and delays that anyone who needs the help of the public health system is forced to endure.

Finally, Sergio Mattarella stated that “democracy exists, first of all, thanks to the ability to listen to every voice, which requires courage”, while he called for more attention to be paid to the problems and needs of the elderly, young people studying and unable to find affordable housing and the migrants arriving on the shores of Lower Italy.