Meloni stays silent, as far right welcomes ruling by Italy’s top court that displays of the raised arm salute are not illegal, if they are not part of attempts to revive the fascist party. Alfio Bernabei reports
On 16 January 2024, a debate unreported by the British press took place at the European Parliament that will hopefully lead to further questioning into a subject that needs to be kept under close observation, the more so after the results in the September 2024 Austrian election.
It dealt with the threat presented by the growing display of nazi-fascist symbols and salutes seen at ceremonies and parades. A group of MEPs voiced their concern about the impact these may produce in the resurgence of fascism that could result in degrees of acceptance and legitimisation: “Oh well, everyone is getting used to this. So what?”
Ylva Johansson, a member of the European Commission said: “Let us remember what neo-fascism is. It is not a challenge in a democratic system, it is a challenge to the democratic system – and that challenge comes with a corrosive effect on acceptable discourse, on media freedom, on rule of law … it goes slowly until it goes quick, and then it is too late.”
The case of Italy was brought up as being of particular concern.
Sophia in ‘t Veld, on behalf of the Renew Europe Group, observed: “I would be interested to know if the President of the European Commission [Ursula von der Leyen] will ask Prime Minister [Giorgia] Meloni to speak out to condemn the Hitler salute, because we said ‘never again’ in Europe.”
Rosa D’Amato, speaking for the Verts/ALE group recalled: “Every year in Rome hundreds of post-fascists gather … in Italy, there is a party that comes from that tradition and there are highly placed state representatives who do not want to cut the ties with that tradition … faced with the images [of parades, salutes] there are those who minimise … those who are pleased, those who keep quiet.
“Giorgia Meloni keeps quiet … unfortunately, Italy has never come to terms with fascism…”
Mussolini’s legacy
Following on from this debate questions continued to crop up during 2024 on Meloni’s refusal to declare herself an anti-fascist. In fact, the answer is publicly advertised by the logo of the party she represents, Brothers of Italy – the tricolour flame – a commonly recognised fascist symbol alluding to the eternal endurance of Mussolini’s legacy. Meloni will not ditch that flame. (Add to this the bust of Mussolini treasured by the Senate President at his home and the expressions of sympathy in past years by the President of the Chamber of Deputies for Golden Dawn, and the picture gets worse.)
As for public displays of the fascist salute, contrary to expectations that it might be outlawed to discourage far-right militants and sympathisers and limit its dissemination and approval through social platforms, if anything, it has received a boost from the highest court in the land, the Court of Cassation.
The supreme court was brought under pressure to make a decision by anti-fascist organisations such as the National Association of Partisans, ANPI, following a number of events deemed to constitute an apologia of fascism. The Italian Constitution includes articles based on anti-fascist values, however, the court made the decision that the fascist salute is allowed, unless it presents the threat of revival of the fascist party. The ruling leaves nazi-fascists in Italy free to make the raised-arm salute, as long as they deny having such an objective in mind.
Already in the past few months some local tribunals, where fascists were on trial for making the fascist salute, have dropped prosecutions. Typical is the case of 12 people who stood out among the 3,000 taking part in a ceremony in Mussolini’s birthplace, Predappio, to mark the anniversary of the March on Rome, including a couple who had dressed their eight-year-old child in a fascist uniform.
Following their acquittal, one of their lawyers expressed his satisfaction: “Thousands of citizens were accused of taking part in an illegal gathering in violation of the Italian Constitution”, he said. “Those who insulted them by reporting them to the authorities should now offer their apologies.”
Racist song
The latest case, which may come to court in a further attempt to prosecute public displays of the fascist salute, happened near the summer residence of the Pope in Castel Gandolfo, almost at the same time as the plane carrying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Rome on his September visit to Meloni.
A video went viral showing the fascist salute performed to celebrate the wedding of a television presenter, accompanied by the chanting of Faccetta Nera (Little Black Face), a racist marching song that became famous during Mussolini’s annexation of Ethiopia.
Alas, none of the four journalists selected to put questions to Meloni and Starmer at the press conference, which saw the British PM visibly charmed by his host, took the opportunity to elicit their opinion on the salute performed in the vicinity.
Apparently Starmer’s motive for the visit was to learn from Meloni her methods of controlling “illegal” migration, although every detail had been in the public domain for over a year. No wonder she appeared to wear the “thank-you-for-coming-to-learn-from-us” pose of complacency almost reminiscent of the newsreel showing Il Duce receiving UK Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in 1933.
What was it all about? Details of encounters between British and Italian prime ministers are not always divulged. Indeed, some documents at the National Archives recording such visits dating back more than 30 years ago remain secret under the 60-year rule.
Pic credit: President of the Ukraine