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European Parliament chief apologises for Mussolini remarks
STRASBOURG, France, March 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The right-wing Italian
president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani apologised Thursday for
remarks defending dictator Benito Mussolini’s record, as MEPs called for his
resignation.
“As a convinced anti-fascist, I apologise to all those who may have been
offended by what I said. My remarks were in no way intended to justify or
minimise an anti-democratic and totalitarian regime,” Tajani, who is close to
tycoon and former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, said in a statement in
English.
“I am deeply saddened that, despite my personal and political history, some
may feel that I would choose to be lenient with regards to fascism,” he
added.
Tajani was in hot water earlier after talking up dictator Benito
Mussolini’s contributions, in an Italian radio interview on Wednesday.
“You don’t have to agree with his methods… but let’s be honest, Mussolini
built roads, bridges, buildings, sports installations, he remade many parts
of our Italy,” said Tajani.
“Generally speaking I don’t think his government action was positive. But
things were done,” he added.
He mentioned also “very serious, unacceptable mistakes”, including
eliminating opponents, race laws and declaring war.
Many MEPs in Brussels recalled the alliance of Tajani’s Forza Italia with
far-right parties the Lega and Fratelli d’Italia.
“The statements by the president of the European parliament are unworthy
and absolutely unacceptable,” the head of the Greens-European Free Alliance
grouping, Ska Keller, said in a statement.
“Antonio Tajani must withdraw his comments normalising fascism or resign,”
said the German MEP.
BSS/AFP/RY/1948 hrs