From organ donation to suicide prevention, by way of smartphones, schools, disability and the European Social Charter — Wednesday, September 16, saw an almost entirely Arengo-focused sitting of the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale). The final tally: ten petitions examined, seven approved and three rejected.
Among the issues that sparked the liveliest debate was that of smartphones for children under 14. Petition No. 56 proposed an outright ban on use below that age threshold — an approach the Government did not consider effective. Education Secretary Teodoro Lonfernini acknowledged the risks tied to early, unsupervised device use, but argued the way forward lay in education and guided support, involving schools, families and social services.
Several councillors shared that view. Michele Muratori (Libera) spoke out against “prohibitionism,” while Nicola Renzi (Rf) drew a distinction between smartphone use and access to social networks. Mirko Dolcini (D-ML), speaking in a personal capacity, took a different line, arguing that the risk of addiction called for a stricter measure. Carlotta Andruccioli (D-ML), while raising doubts about the enforceability of an outright ban, called for tougher rules on minors’ access to social media. In the end, the petition was rejected by majority vote.
A completely different outcome met the request on organ, tissue and cell donation after death. Petition No. 5, which aims to let citizens formally express their wishes during their lifetime and to create a national registry, secured the unanimous approval of the Chamber. Health Secretary Massimo Andrea Ugolini pointed to the need to link San Marino to specialist networks, reach agreements with Italy, and update the IT systems of the ISS (the national health institute). Official Council documentation confirms the petition’s subject matter and its call for a national registry.
Another unanimous vote came on a particularly sensitive topic: suicide prevention and support for people in psychological and emotional crisis. The petition calls for building an integrated system to strengthen existing services. Among the options outlined by the Government are protected spaces where cases of severe distress could be observed and monitored for at least 48 hours, expanded training, and the possible strengthening of a dedicated helpline.
Several points recurred throughout the debate: catching distress earlier, supporting families, fighting stigma, and reinforcing the service network. Michele Muratori (Libera) also renewed calls for a dedicated psychiatric diagnosis and treatment facility, while Michela Pelliccioni (Mixed Group) pressed for a 24-hour toll-free helpline. The petition was approved unanimously.
Unanimous approval also went to the effective implementation of the Individualized Life Plan for people with disabilities. The new framework aims to bring together health, education, employment, housing, sport, relationships and social participation, entrusting a Case Manager with becoming a point of reference for both the individual and their family. Councillors, however, also called for checks to ensure that what is set out on paper is actually put into practice.
Among the day’s approvals was also the establishment of a Liceo delle Scienze Umane (Human Sciences High School) within San Marino’s school system. The Council resumed debate on Petition No. 54, previously halted for lack of quorum, this time reaching approval by majority vote.
Also passed was the petition calling on San Marino to accede to the Revised European Social Charter. The Republic had signed the Charter in 2001 but never ratified it. The Government gave its favourable opinion, while warning that the process will be complex and unlikely to be completed within the standard six months allotted for following up on Arengo petitions. Both opposition and majority benches urged that the commitment not be left without a defined timeline. In the end, this request too was approved by majority vote. Institutional documentation confirms that Petition No. 51 concerns the Republic’s accession to the European Social Charter.
The Council also gave the green light to tidying up regulations on the expiry of driving licences for people with medical conditions or disabilities, aiming to avoid overlaps between the licence’s standard validity period and the shorter deadlines set by health authorities.
Rejected, however, was the proposal to introduce a public selection process, based on qualifications and examinations, for the role of Conductor of the Military Band. The Government defended the current system and stressed the difficulty of intervening in a procedure already under way, while leaving open the possibility of reviewing it in future. Nicola Renzi (Rf) challenged the Executive’s position, invoking principles of transparency and merit. The petition was rejected.
Also rejected was the request to allocate the former Banca CIS building to the Serravalle community. Secretary Marco Gatti explained that the building was designed for banking operations, that converting it would be costly, and that the premises are still in use by the structures handling the management and recovery of the former bank’s credits. The debate nonetheless left open the broader question of finding spaces for associations and volunteer groups.
Rounding out the day was the Cailungo Park petition. The request to complete its redevelopment and upgrade its facilities and services won unanimous backing, though not without political debate over work already done and what remains to be finished. The Government explained that several projects are already under way or have been scheduled together with the Castle Council (Giunta di Castello) of Borgo Maggiore. On the final outcome, however, there was no division: a unanimous vote in favour.
