Governare localmente attraverso la crisi. «Populismo urbano» e movimenti sociali nella pandemia

The article recollects the political and social impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the city of Messina. Here, the general manifestations of the pandemic crisis intertwined with a local fabric characterized by economic depression and «dependency». In order to survive, vast portions of the local social classes depend on the political power of a given moment. Such local power - in this case the Mayor - presented «populist» traits that found in the health crisis the ideal condition to extend reputation and importance. While opposition to this authoritarian project was one trait present in the community, ambivalence and instrumentalism appeared as the most relevant sentiments and reasons.