Baldassare Di Maggio - Mafia and Politics

Mafia and Politics

Di Maggio made several declarations on the relation between the Mafia and politics. According to Di Maggio, Riina “personally told me more than once that it is not possible for a politician, at any level, to become a man of honour. It is not even possible for a man of honour to start a political career. On the basis of this rule, which was expressed to me in categorical terms, there is a substantial contempt on the part of Cosa Nostra towards politicians, who are not regarded as serious enough to become part of the organisation.”

“We obviously give votes to politicians of our choice and after making an agreement with them, but they have to do what we say, otherwise we break their horns,” he said. “Politicians’ behaviour might sometimes give rise to ‘disappointments,’ but their function was particularly important for Cosa Nostra and, hence, there was an ‘obligation’ for all men of honour to vote for the Christian Democrats.”