Meloni distances herself from cases of fascism in her party youth - and attacks the media
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out for the first time about instances of antisemitism and fascism glorification in the youth organization of her post-fascist party. "Anyone who expresses racist, antisemitic, or nostalgic thinking has chosen the wrong political home, as this thinking is incompatible with Fratelli d'Italia," Meloni told Italian journalists on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels on Friday. Meloni also criticized the journalists for their research.
The news website "Fanpage" had published the first part of an undercover investigation into the National Youth, the youth organization of Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) party, earlier in the week. Hidden camera recordings show members using Nazi salutes, calling out "Sieg Heil" and "Duce," making the fascist salute, and making racist comments at party events. Meloni initially remained silent on the issue.
On Thursday, "Fanpage" published the second part of the video documentation. In it, high-ranking members of the National Youth are seen making antisemitic comments, accompanied by mocking of FdI Senator Esther Mieli, who had previously served as spokesperson for the Jewish community in Rome. Meloni stated on Friday regarding racism, antisemitism, and the nostalgia for the fascist dictatorship, "There are no ambiguities from my side in this matter."
The prime minister also criticized the journalists from "Fanpage." "Why has no one ever infiltrated a political party and secretly filmed their meetings in the 75-year history of the Republic?," Meloni asked and added, "Because those are the methods of an authoritarian regime." A "Fanpage" journalist replied, "That's just undercover journalism."
Meloni herself was a member of the youth movement of the party founded by supporters of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, the MSI. At the age of 19, she became the head of the Azione Studentesca, the student organization of the MSI successor party Alleanza Nazionale. The emblem of Azione Studentesca is the Celtic cross, which is used by far-right extremists throughout Europe. At the time, Meloni said in a television interview that Mussolini was a "good politician." Later, she attempted to publicly distance herself from her party's fascist past. The FdI are in the tradition of the MSI and use part of the former MSI logo.
- Despite the allegations of fascism glorification and antisemitic remarks within the Party youth, Meloni emphasized that any individual promoting such ideas has chosen a wrong political path, as they contradict the values of her party, Fratelli d'Italia.
- The ongoing investigation by the media outlet "Fanpage" uncovered fascist salutes, racist comments, and glorification of the fascist dictatorship within the National Youth, the youth wing of Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia party.
- Previously a member of the youth movement of Mussolini's supporters and later the head of the Azione Studentesca, Meloni's party, FdI, continues to share some of the MSI's distinct symbols, raising concerns about its connection to the party's fascist past.
