Mayor tries to sell entire Italian town to China over Facebook

Francesco Garofalo says his town would be a better investment than a top-flight football club

Mr Garofalo’s plea to wealthy investors highlights the economic difficulties small Italian towns face

An Italian mayor frustrated by his town’s persistent lack of money has taken the unusual step of attempting to sell it on Facebook.

Francesco Garofalo, who has been the mayor of San Sossio Baronia in southern Italy for seven years, apparently made the plea due to the dwindling reserves in the municipal coffers.

Writing on Facebook, he said: “Wanted: a rich Chinese investor to come and take over the town,” adding that this was due to “perennial lack of funds”.

He also said he would happily offer his services as mayor to any new owners, the Italian edition of The Local reported.

Mr Garofalo wrote: “I should point out that the cost would be slightly lower than that of [football clubs] Inter and Milan.”

He said he believed the town would make a “very profitable investment”, saying the region had a great environment and strong tourism potential, according to Italian news site TGcom24.

While Mr Garofalo’s efforts to sell the town are more of a humorous provocation than a genuine plan, it has drawn attention to the serious economic and demographic difficulties many small towns in Italy face.

Speaking to Italian paper il Fatto Quotidiano, the mayor said: “I will not sell my land. I just want to draw attention to ensure services to my people. It has become difficult even to plug a hole in the street, or afford to mow the grass.

“I thought I'd post my ad in the hopes of finding a way to ensure a more prosperous future in my municipality. The post was created by a deep unease, frustration and sense of helplessness in dealing with the daily newspaper, [and due to] lack of cash liquidity.”

He added that he remains serious about attracting investment, and has said he plans to take out advertising space in newspapers to promote the town.