in World News Right-Wing Italian PM Georgia Meloni Disavows Fascism in First Speech to Parliament
By Richard Abelson
“We Must Uphold Christian Values”
Right-wing “Brethren of Italy” leader Giorgia Meloni gave her first address to parliament today after being sworn in as new Italian Prime Minister Saturday, leading a conservative coalition that includes Matteo Salvini’s Lega and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia parties.
Speaking to the Italian parliament in Rome, 45-year-old Meloni disavowed fascism, saying she had “never felt sympathy or closeness to undemocratic regimes … including fascism. I have always considered the Racial Laws of 1938 the lowest moment in the history of Italy, a disgrace that will mark our country forever.” Left-wing media have consistently tried to paint Meloni as a “fascist” since she became a member of the Youth Front of the post-fascist Italian Social Movement when she was 15.
Meloni sought to reassure EU and NATO partners: “Italy is fully part of Europe and the Western world,” Meloni told the lower house of Parliament, saying Italy would “continue to be a reliable partner of NATO in supporting Ukraine.”