The relatives of the 43 people
killed in the 2018 Genoa motorway bridge disaster said Thursday
that Premier Giuseppe Conte had called to inform them Wednesday
that Benetton was to be eased out of motorway company ASPI after
its allegedly negligent maintenance ahead of the collapse.
"He called us yesterday, he thought about us," said the victims'
relatives association.
The stake in ASPI of the Benetton-controlled Atlantia group will
gradually be cut to zero after state bank CDP takes a 51%
controlling stake in the motorway company.
Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli on Thursday hailed the
operation as "fundamental" and said "the state will act as a
guide".
He stressed that in the ASPI takeover by CDP ahead of its being
floated and becoming a public company, Italian taxpayers'
savings "are not at risk".
The operation was approved after tense overnight talks
Tuesday-Wednesday between government partners who had differing
views on forcing Benetton out of the motorway business.
The senior partner, the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement
(M5S), was the most insistent that the clothing to catering
giant should be ejected.
The new bridge in Genoa, designed by city native and starchitect
Renzo Piano, has been built in record time.
It features 'sails', reflecting the northwestern port city's
rich maritime heritage.
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