The Italian wives of husbands who killed themselves because of the recession marched through the streets of bologna today in an aim to raise awareness of the human cost of the Euro crisis.
The crises has impacted heavily on millions of people throughout the continent. No more so than the White widows, the wives of men who have committed suicide since the technocratic government of Mario Monti was instated by the EU.
Last month craftsman Giuseppe Campaniello set himself on fire outside of the Bologna tax offices, dying nine days later from his horrific injuries. Since then more than 25 businessmen have taken their lives due to financial difficulties linked to the country’s economic problems.
Giuseppe’s wife Tiziana Marrone will lead the march from the hospital where her husband was treated to the charred spot where he committed his act of despair.
She has become the voice for the Italian people’s woes after appearing on state television reading her husband’s suicide note.
It said: “Dear love, I am here crying. This morning I left a bit early, I wanted to wake you, say goodbye, but you were sleeping so well I was afraid to wake you. Today is an ugly day. I ask forgiveness from everyone. In a few months you will become an aunt, and I hope everything goes well, so Danilo and Sara are happy, and you too. A kiss to you all. I love you, Giuseppe.”
Anger continues to grow in Italy against the imposed austerity measures and Euro policies. The countries national press has been full of reports of corrupt politicians earning huge wages and living luxurious lifestyles. This is in stark contrast to the regular people struggling to survive with high unemployment, high taxes and cuts to public services.
“The government must do something to change the laws, because it is not right what is happening in Italy,” Marrone said.
“On the one side we have people who steal and remain free … on the other side there are those who set themselves on fire because they don’t know how to pay their tax debts.”
Since the economic troubles began the suicide rate in Italy and the rest of the affected Eurozone has jumped sharply. In April a 77 year old Greek man shot himself outside of the country’s parliament building, in the south of Italy an elderly woman threw herself out of her third story window in protest at the cuts to her pension.
More and more of these tragic stories are coming to light and with the end of the crisis nowhere to be seen, things are bound to get a lot worse over the coming year.
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