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A choice in the name of continuity. General of the army Salvatore Luongo He is the new General Commander of the Carabinieri. The Government decided this at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. A solution that matured a few hours after November 14, the day the mandate of the commander Teo Luzi, whose deputy Luongo has been since May, expired. The rotation ceremony will take place on Friday November 15, at the “Salvo D’Acquisto” barracks in Tor di Quinto.
According to the Code of Military Order (Article 32) the General Commander of the Carabinieri, as well as the main military leaders, is appointed by decree of the President of the Republic, following a resolution by the Council of Ministers, on a proposal from the Council. Minister for Defence, after hearing from the Chief of Defense Staff. With the support of the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, Luongo got the upper hand over the other candidates: Mario Cinque, Chief of Staff of the General Command of the Carabinieri from 2021, “sponsored” by the Undersecretary of the Presidency, with a delegation to the Services Alfredo Mantovano , and Riccardo Galletta , Commander of the inter-regional Pastrengo, with the support of another Undersecretary of Palazzo Chigi, Giovanbattista Fazzolari. The final, decisive word came from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The new Commander held the position of leader of the legislature with Ministers Pinotti (Pd), Trenta (M5s), Guerini (Pd) and Crosetto himself. And it is precisely this aspect, and especially his closeness to the Democratic Party, that raised some doubts in Mantua.
«I did not comment on the journalistic reconstructions of the past few days on the “backstage” regarding the appointment of the general commander of the Carabinieri – wrote Crosetto on X, after the choice made by the executive -. Now, however, after reading some writing that there would be winners and losers in this selection, I feel compelled to do so. For both the love of truth and respect for institutions. The appointment of General Luongo passed through the Council of Ministers unanimously, without a single discussion and in less than a minute. The choice (with great difficulty given the value of the potential candidates) had been made in the previous weeks, with complete agreement and complete calm. Because the government was fully aware of how necessary it was to preserve the top management of an institution like the Army from any possibility of exploitation.”
«Congratulations and best wishes for good work to the new Commander-in-Chief of the Carabinieri, General Salvatore Luongo - these are the words Meloni entrusted to his noita -. His experience and expertise will allow him to best lead the Carabinieri, the national pride and the Armed Force that is respected and respected at home and abroad. I express my gratitude to General Teo Luzi for his professionalism and enthusiasm for the Army, the State and the citizens.”
He started his military career 47 years ago
Neapolitan, born in 1962, Luongo began his military career in 1977, attending courses at the “Nunziatella” Military School in the capital of Campania, the Modena Military Academy and the Carabinieri Application School in Rome. He holds a master’s degree in Law, Political Science and Internal and External Security Sciences, and a Master’s degree in International Strategic-Military Studies, Strategic Sciences and has an Advanced Diploma in Humanities from the Gregorian University of Rome. He attended the 2nd 1SSM1 Course at the Advanced Defense Studies Centre. He collaborated with the University of Rome IV with teaching roles, dealing with the criminal aspects of forensic medicine and dealing in particular with the fight against doping. He was a tutor and speaker at the Master’s degree level II “Open innovation and entrepreneurship” at Campus Biomedico University of Rome.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Military Expert Dr. Luca Ferraris
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Ferraris. Thank you for joining us today. With the recent appointment of General Salvatore Luongo as the new General Commander of the Carabinieri, there has been quite the buzz in both political and military circles. What’s your first impression of this decision?
Dr. Luca Ferraris: Good morning! Thank you for having me. I think the appointment of General Luongo is a strategic move for continuity within the Carabinieri. Given that he has served as deputy to the previous commander, Teo Luzi, he brings a wealth of experience and established relationships to the role. This continuity can help in navigating the challenges the Carabinieri face.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned challenges. What are some pressing issues the Carabinieri currently confront, and how might General Luongo address them?
Dr. Ferraris: The Carabinieri deal with various issues, from organized crime to public safety and national security. There’s also an ongoing need for modernization within the force, especially with the rise of cybercrime. General Luongo’s experience, particularly his political connections and history with multiple defense ministers, should enable him to push for necessary reforms and technological upgrades.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of political connections, there seems to be some discussion surrounding the influence of political affiliations on this appointment. How do you see the interplay between politics and military leadership?
Dr. Ferraris: That is always a delicate balance. Military appointments often do have political nuances, and it’s important for leaders to maintain a degree of neutrality. General Luongo’s closeness to the Democratic Party raises questions, but it’s not uncommon for military leaders to have such connections. What is important is his ability to serve the state effectively, irrespective of political ties. Ideally, he will manage to foster good relationships across party lines to ensure robust support for the Carabinieri.
Time.news Editor: Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized that the decision was made unanimously and swiftly, countering reports of infighting among candidates. What does this unanimity signal about the government’s approach to military leadership?
Dr. Ferraris: It reflects a concerted effort by the government to present a united front. In times of uncertainty, having a coherent leadership in the military is vital. A speedy and unanimous decision could indicate that the government is prioritizing stability and support for the Carabinieri in light of the evolving security landscape in Italy and beyond.
Time.news Editor: The rotation ceremony is scheduled for November 15 at the “Salvo D’Acquisto” barracks. What significance does such a ceremony hold for the Carabinieri and military culture in general?
Dr. Ferraris: The rotation ceremony symbolizes the transfer of responsibility and trust between commanders. It’s a moment of respect for the outgoing commander and a formal welcome for the incoming one. Such rituals are deeply embedded in military culture, reinforcing values like discipline and accountability. They also serve to reassure the force that their leadership is stable and committed to their welfare and the mission at hand.
Time.news Editor: In closing, Dr. Ferraris, what should we expect from General Luongo in the coming months?
Dr. Ferraris: I anticipate that General Luongo will focus on strengthening internal cohesion within the Carabinieri while actively engaging with various government branches to advocate for resources and reforms. He has a significant opportunity to implement changes that could enhance operational efficiency and community relations, which are critical in today’s security context.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ferraris, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how General Luongo navigates his new role and the challenges that lie ahead for the Carabinieri.
Dr. Ferraris: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how his leadership unfolds in the coming months.