In a heated session at Montecitorio on March 19, 2025, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's attack on the Ventotene Manifesto ignited a firestorm of protest from opposition parties, reaffirming deep political divisions within Italy's government. The manifesto, a key document advocating for a united Europe, was penned by Altiero Spinelli and others during their confinement by the fascist regime in 1941. Meloni's remarks came in the lead-up to the European Council meeting scheduled for March 20-21.
As the premier delivered her speech, she cited provocative excerpts from the manifesto, which includes calls for a socialist revolution and criticisms of private property. "I don’t know if this is your idea of Europe, but it certainly isn’t mine," she stated, sparking uproar among the opposition. Some quotes she selected from the manifesto, such as "The European revolution must be socialist" and "Private property must be abolished," drew immediate condemnation.
The backlash was swift. Members of the opposition rose in protest, with shouts of "Shame!" echoing through the chamber. Federico Fornaro from the Democratic Party (PD) implored Meloni to recognize the significance of the figures behind the manifesto, stating, "This Parliament owes its existence to those visionaries from Ventotene who fought for freedom." Alfonso Colucci of the Five Star Movement (M5S) echoed these sentiments, recalling comments made by President Sergio Mattarella about the regime's attempts to suppress freedom of thought.
Meloni’s comments also sparked commentary from within her coalition. Riccardo Molinari of the Lega stated that Italy would not endorse a resolution giving Meloni a mandate to support the European Union’s rearmament plan, suggesting that internal dissent could hamper her authority on the European stage. This pointed to a growing rift within the ruling coalition as the Lega questioned the government's foreign policy direction.
Despite the divisions, the majority resolution in favor of the EU Council meeting passed with 188 votes, while 125 votes were cast against it, with 9 abstentions. Meloni, in her defense, claimed that her intention was to provoke a discussion about the manifesto’s relevance today, especially given its recent distribution in Piazza.
Elly Schlein, leading the PD, criticized Meloni for her interpretations, accusing her of rewriting history to mask the government's internal conflicts. "Today something grave happened; the Lega has said that Meloni does not have the mandate to vote on the rearmament plan, showing that she has been delegated and lacks political agency," she stated.
Further adding to the tensions, Meloni faced accusations of an ideological stunt. Critics like Riccardo Magi from +Europa framed her remarks as an attempt to deflect attention from ongoing disputes within her party over the rearmament plan, noting that the premier's speech shifted the focus away from pressing political matters facing the EU.
Meanwhile, Matteo Salvini, in Belgium for other duties, urged headquarters to "occupy Brussels," suggesting a rallying cry for more nationalistic autonomy. This comment further underscored the friction between his party and Meloni's leadership.
The session saw repeated interruptions. Each time Meloni quoted the manifesto, the opposition vocalized their outrage, leading to multiple suspensions of the session. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, as the references to Italy’s antifascist leaders drew sharp responses from the left-leaning factions.
Despite being faced with backlash, Meloni seemed unfazed, standing by her stance. "I read a text that some have chosen to distribute. How is it offensive to engage with its contents?" she challenged, maintaining that the context of the manifesto’s message warranted discussion.
As tensions reached their peak, it became evident that the day was not just about Meloni's words but rather a manifestation of the shaky foundations of her government's unity. Discussions surrounding foreign policy and defense strategies illuminated a government at odds with itself, mirroring the complexities of Italy's role in European politics.
In the end, Meloni's remarks on the Ventotene Manifesto will likely resonate for some time, particularly as the country braces for her continued leadership in Europe amidst growing scrutiny and internal party dynamics. Today’s heated exchanges foreshadow a continued challenge for Meloni as she navigates both her coalition's interests and Italy's position among its EU partners.
