Scanzano Ionico is located in the province of Matera and had an area of 71.5 km2, with a population of 7,050 in 2008. The town is located on the
Ionian coast. Until 1974, it was part of the municipality of Montalbano Ionico under the name Scanzano.
2003 protests In late 2003, the
second Berlusconi government wanted to activate the single
nuclear waste site at Scanzano Jonico in the
Metaponto area, citing support from the local mayor. This attracted criticism even within the
centre-right coalition majority government.
Gianfranco Blasi, the then deputy of
Forza Italia, launched what was described as a "dramatically heartfelt" appeal to Berlusconi for the immediate revocation of the decree. Among others, his opposition to the plan received national attention. On 13 November 2003, Italy's leading news agency
ANSA quoted Blasi as saying: "Besides appearing inconsistent with the value of democratic participation, it seems like a cynical and arrogant prank played on a regional community, perhaps because it is small and considered easily attackable." In a speech to the
Chamber of Deputies about the issue, Blasi expressed his "firm and clear no to the government's decision", stating that he was "firmly and adamantly opposed to Scanzano's choice". Blasi's views were shared by figures the opposition
centre-left coalition, such as
Ermete Realacci, a deputy from
The Daisy and founder of
Legambiente, senator for life
Emilio Colombo, the
Federation of the Greens (FdV) secretary
Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, and Guido Tampieri, the
Emilia-Romagna regional councilor for the environment. Ultimately, the protests were successful and the government's plans were scrapped. == Notes ==