Constitution still guides us - Mattarella on Republic Day

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 2 - President Sergio Mattarella stressed the role of the Constitution on Friday as Italy celebrates the Republic Day national holiday.
    "The values of the choice of June 2, 1946, transfused in the Constitutional Charter whose 75th anniversary we mark (this year), continue to guide us," Mattarella wrote in a message to Defence Chief of Staff Cavo Dragone, referring to the post-World War II referendum in which the Italian people voted to dump the monarchy and become a republic.
    "Freedom, equality, solidarity, respect for the rights of individuals and communities are fundamental pillars of our Constitutional Charter.
     Premier Giorgia Meloni stressed that the holiday "is not just a museum-like celebration.
    "It is the symbol of the fact that we understand that, regardless of whether there are difficulties or things go well, we only come through together," she said.
    "Understanding that we are all connected is the element of culture needed (for us) to understand that we must all pull in the same direction".
    The focus of the Republic Day celebrations was a Rome military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali, with the Colosseum as a backdrop, opened by 300 mayors wearing the tricolour sash.
    Mattarella and Meloni were among the officials taking part, along with thousands of ordinary citizens. (ANSA).