Five Star Movement presents anti-usury bill: a red code is needed for victims

"The pandemic and the war are having an impact on families and businesses, who often turn not to the state but to loan sharks, and the issue of usury is becoming increasingly prevalent," says Francesco Silvestri , first signatory of a bill to amend Article 14 of the 1996 law on usury victims.

"The current law," he continues, "is 30 years old and no one uses it anymore. There are no more complaints because victims of usury no longer trust the state. The law needs to be updated. Nine hundred days, which the state spends on assisting a victim of usury, is too long. After 900 days, there's no one left to assist. So we need a red code, a fast-track system for victims of usury who need immediate assistance."

"When a law improves or saves lives," adds the M5S representative, "imagine how we start making any kind of parliamentary opinion. Fdi, Pd, Avs—anyone who can push the green button for a red code for usury victims is welcome, and this is a moral duty for all parties."

Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte , present at the final part of the press conference, shared the same opinion: "The anti-usury red code," the former prime minister said, "helps those in difficulty. We need a system of protection comparable to that of victims of violence. We have a moral duty to introduce this measure for those in difficulty who cannot wait."

Also attending the press conference (in addition to representatives of anti-usury associations) was Matteo Tubertini , a Calabrian entrepreneur from Guglielmo Caffè, a company that was at the center of an attack a few years ago: "I represent a historic brand in Calabria, where crime is suffocating businesses. It's difficult to speak out," he said, "because those who report things aren't listened to. I'm not a member of the Five Star Movement, but they deserve applause. Prime Minister Conte called me after the attack and was supportive. Many companies are considering leaving Calabria, and this means the South isn't in a position to create free business. A company that reports things doesn't have the government on its side."