Meloni Skips Mention of Anti-Fascism in Liberation Day Speech, Sparking Controversy

On April 25, Italy marked the 79th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi occupation and fascist rule. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, attended the commemorations but failed to mention anti-fascism in her 20-minute speech. This omission triggered a media storm over suspected censorship and the legacy of Italian complicity in the Holocaust and World War II-era crimes.

The state-run broadcaster RAI faced heavy criticism for withdrawing a monologue on fascism by Italian author Antonio Scurati, which was planned to be aired on a talk show. Scurati accused Meloni's party of trying to rewrite history and said she had "painted a target" on his back. Meloni denied any censorship and posted Scurati's monologue on her Facebook account, accusing the left-wing opposition of creating a scandal.

Why this matters: The controversy has revived criticism that Italians haven't fully reckoned with their fascist past. President Sergio Mattarella demanded that Italians never forget the "Nazi-fascist barbarism" of World War II.

In her speech on April 25, Meloni acknowledged the importance of the Liberation and the return of democracy. However, she avoided using the term "anti-fascist," which has historically been a source of dispute between left-wing and right-wing parties. Since her appointment, Meloni has adopted a more moderate political discourse, condemning Italy's fascist past and abandoning some of her previous ideas.

The RAI controversy fueled tensions on a Liberation Day that was already high given Israel's war in Gaza and planned pro-Palestinian marches in Italy, which traditionally celebrates the country's Jewish community on this occasion. Scurati ultimately read his monologue aloud at a Liberation Day event in Milan, where he recounted the history of fascist violence in Italy, including the 1924 assassination of a Socialist lawmaker and the 1944 massacres of Italian civilians.

"The controversy has drawn more attention to Scurati's text," which the state broadcaster claimed it did not want to pay him 1,800 euros to read. President Mattarella took a harder line in his remarks, demanding that Italians never forget the "Nazi-fascist barbarism" of World War II, including the fascist propaganda and censorship that sought to deny the crimes committed on Italian soil. The fracas highlighted the lingering tensions over Italy's fascist past and the current government's relationship to it.

Key Takeaways

• Italy marked 79th anniversary of liberation from Nazi/fascist rule on April 25.
• PM Meloni's party has neo-fascist roots, omitted "anti-fascism" in her Liberation Day speech.
• RAI withdrew a monologue on fascism, sparking criticism of censorship and Italy's fascist past.
• President Mattarella demanded Italians never forget "Nazi-fascist barbarism" of WWII.
• Controversy highlighted lingering tensions over Italy's fascist past and current govt's relationship to it.