In San Paolo Albanese, the smallest municipality in the Basilicata region, with just 204 inhabitants, the effects of depopulation and lack of services have begun to be felt.

Mayor Mose’ Antonio Troiano refuses to give up and has spoken out against the new national strategic plan for inland areas.

“We are completely abandoned,” the mayor told the news agency ANSA, addressing an appeal to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“I invite her to come visit us and witness firsthand the difficulties faced by small inland municipalities,” Troiano said.

Located in Val Sarmento, at an altitude of 843 meters, San Paolo Albanese was founded by the Arbëresh people, with its origins dating back to 1534.

The residents still preserve Arbëresh traditions, customs, language, Greek-Byzantine religious rites, and folk festivals.

The mayor rejected the national strategic plan, arguing that the document contains an unacceptable phrase.

“The document states that the chronic decline of the population is irreversible, and therefore must be accompanied with dignity toward the end,” Troiano said.

According to him, this is a choice that cannot be accepted, and thus his invitation to Prime Minister Meloni also extends to her ministers.

“They should visit us to see up close the values of this community, the hardships we are enduring, and to give a signal of hope to the younger generations,” the mayor added.