Fascists not welcome says Ita8k8 livelian PM

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has issued a stern warning to her Brothers of Italy party that there is no room for fascist "nostalgia" or "stupid folklore" after an undercover reporter filmed young members chanting Nazi slogans and giving fascist salutes.

The word fascist is of Italian origin and became synonymous with nationalist politician Benito Mussolini, who, in 1922, became prime minister and then used that position to become the country's totalitarian leader, before Adolf Hitler became chancellor in Germany.

Mussolini was removed from power in 1943, after which Italy surrendered to the allied forces, and, in 1945, he was shot dead by partisans.

His birthplace remains a site of pilgrimage for far-right supporters in Italy, and Ignazio La Russa, the co-founder of the Brothers of Italy and speaker of the country's senate, admits to having a bust of him on his mantelpiece.

Meloni, who wants her party to be seen as a modern party on the right, was initially critical of the website that first shared the story and images, but she has now changed tack, saying she was "angered and saddened" by the behavior.

"There is no room for anyone nostalgic for the totalitarianism of the 20th century or for any form of stupid folklore," she wrote, warning that people could face expulsion from the party over the issue.

"There is no room in our ranks for those who play a caricature role that only serves the narrative our opponents want to create about us … I and we don't have time to lose with those who want to make us go backward.

"Whoever believes there can be a public image of Brothers of Italy that does not correspond to their private behavior has simply not understood who we are, and is therefore not welcome among us."

The youth wing of the party, known as National Youth, was founded in 2014 and has described itself as "the most significant youth movement among the Italian parties".

As recently as last December, Meloni told supporters at a party rally: "This is what so many envy of us, that we have young people who still believe in politics and militancy. It is rare; it is priceless."

A party spokeswoman said two party officials featured in the report, Elisa Segnini and Flaminia Pace, had subsequently left their official posts but had not yet been expelled.

Victor Fadlun, the president of Rome's Jewish Community, wrote on the social media platform X urging "appropriate actions be taken" over the reports.

"It is imperative that society and institutions react strongly against all forms of hatred and discrimination," he said.

Michela Di Biase, a member of Parliament for the left-wing Democratic Party, said the behavior caught on camera celebrated people who had "stained the history of our country with the blood of persecution".

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