Italy: Far-right candidate elected as new parliament speaker

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen English
15 Oct 2022 10:15

Lorenzo Fontana, a supporter of neo-Nazi parties, is elected as the speaker of the lower house of the parliament.

Lorenzo Fontana, Italy's new speaker of the lower house of the parliament.

Far-right candidate Lorenzo Fontana has been elected as a speaker for the lower house of the Italian parliament Friday.

Fontana, previously a cabinet minister, won the vote among his far-right peers in an alliance previously in discord.

The newly-elected speaker has been accused by activism groups in Italy of using "[President Vladimir] Putin's Russia as a cultural and political model". In a paradox, noting that Russian soldiers are being killed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis in this war, Fontana supported in 2016 the Golden Dawn neo-Nazi party in Greece. He has also accused immigrants of "invading" Italy.

On Thursday, Ignazio La Russa, a veteran of Italy's post-fascist movement, was appointed speaker of the Senate. La Russa is known for collecting memorabilia from Benito Mussolini, the ruler of former fascist Italy. Giorgia Meloni, Italy's new far-right prime minister, chose La Russa.

On September 25, Meloni and her party won 26% of the vote in the general election.

Now that the speakers are elected, they will be taking part in discussions with President Sergio Mattarella on the formation of the new government, which will be led by Meloni by the end of the month.

Blinken to work with Italy on rights

Following the far-right party's triumph in Italy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in late September that Washington was eager to engage with the new administration but will promote "respect for human rights."

"We are eager to work with Italy's government on our shared goals: supporting a free and independent Ukraine, respecting human rights and building a sustainable economic future," Blinken wrote on Twitter.

"Italy is a vital ally, strong democracy and valued partner," he said.

Meloni is on track to become Italy's first leader with fascist roots - since Benito Mussolini - following a campaign in which she criticized immigration and expressed doubt about the European Union.

With her steadfast support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's military operation, Meloni, who is about to become Italy's first female prime minister, has parted ways with certain other far-right politicians.