Translated automatically by AI from the Italian original.
Syracuse Municipality has raised the alert level to “high risk” for all contracts for works, services and supplies. The Municipality has urgently amended its Anti-Corruption Plan (PIAO 2026–2028). The decision was formalised by the outgoing municipal executive immediately after yesterday’s heated Municipal council meeting, which focused on developments in the Nexus judicial investigation.
The main updates and the outcome of the political debate include a review of procurement procedures. The executive resolution explicitly cites the ongoing judicial matters as the reason for tightening controls and administrative transparency in the corruption prevention system.
During the debate at Palazzo Vermexio, mayor Francesco Italia firmly rejected the opposition’s accusations, stating: “I am pressing on; I am not the reference point for any system.” He then refused the repeated calls for his resignation.
Before the council meeting, the mayor had already dissolved the municipal executive and the staff office, temporarily keeping only the member of the municipal executive responsible for Budget and Legality, Pierpaolo Coppa, in post as a sign of structural discontinuity.
The opposition groups (including the Democratic Party, Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia) fiercely criticised the administration, demanding stringent checks on all managerial appointments and past contracts.
