Republic Day, the values of our Constitution, peace that is not only the absence of war. These are the issues that the head of state Sergio Mattarella addresses in an interview granted to the magazine Postenews, on the occasion of June 2, Italian Republic Day, anticipated by Il Foglio.

"The centrality of the person, the recognition of his integrity and inviolability, the primacy of equality among human beings, dignity, freedom, solidarity, rights and duties characterize the democratic structure of the new State born from Liberation. These are values that belong to all citizens. They are ours, and they live in society in the transition between generations in active participation in civil life", adds the Head of State.

"Young people - he adds - must participate in the transformations taking place in the country and not suffer the effects. Working in a country other than one's own must be a choice and an opportunity to increase one's training. It cannot be a necessary escape. Young people ask to be heard. They are the vital energy that must be quickly reintroduced into the engine of Italy. Article 3 of the Charter assigns to the Republic the task of removing the obstacles of an economic and social order which, by limiting the freedom and equality of citizens, impede the full development of the human person and the effective participation of all workers in the political, economic and social organization of the country".

"It is our declination of a right to happiness. As for women, there are old and new dynamics that influence life choices. There are still obstacles to be removed to allow them full realization in the working dimension and in private life. When the right of an individual is denied, the whole community suffers. As long as there is only one area that is effectively closed to a woman, the principle of equality will be betrayed."

"European unity represents one of the most successful events in the history of our continent.- says the Head of State in the interview - Within the framework of the European institutions and with their collaboration it has been possible to achieve the greatest social progress, guarantee democracy and the system of freedoms, ensure a condition of peace after the continuous conflicts of previous centuries. In today's context, in which the dimension of the protagonists of international life is decisive, none of the individual countries that belong to the European Union would be able, on its own, to play an effective role".

"In times of crisis, the values of the European founding pact are rediscovered to face emergencies together. Even for the construction of the common home, the processes of progress have been faster in difficult moments. The response to the pandemic was an example of this. In the globalized world, to say that no one is saved alone is not a mere ritual affirmation. Next year there will be elections to the European Parliament. An extraordinary opportunity for democracy for the citizens of twenty-seven countries. Europe is us."