What it’s about

An undercover investigation by the news website Fanpage focused on the youth wing of Italy’s Brothers of Italy party, revealing footage of fascist salutes and Nazi chants. This has sparked debates regarding the allegations and their political repercussions.

Why it matters

The investigation targets National Youth, the junior wing of the Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accusing it of harboring fascist sentiments. Criticism resonates in both national and European political landscapes as discussions surface on fascist glorification.

Quick take

Luca Ciriani, minister for relations with parliament and a member of Brothers of Italy, dismissed the investigation as portraying decontextualized and private images. Ciriani emphasized that the National Youth has not been involved in violent extremism and downplayed calls for intervention against alleged propaganda.

Party’s Defense

Ciriani highlighted that there have been no reported attacks or public displays from the National Youth that align with extremist ideologies. The footage, while shocking, does not meet the legal threshold for government intervention according to Ciriani.

Political Reaction

The center-left Democratic Party (PD) expressed substantial concern, with PD deputy Michela Di Biase calling the footage an explicit glorification of fascism. European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer condemned any fascist symbolism but didn’t address Italy directly.

Broader Context

Italian law bans the glorification of Mussolini’s fascism, but enforcement is rare. Prime Minister Meloni’s background, including her ties with the Italian Social Movement (MSI) founded post-World War II, further complicates perceptions. Her attempts to distance herself from these associations challenge her ability to lead without entirely renouncing the party’s historical context.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.