Leaked internal chat messages from Italy's right-wing political party, Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), have revealed scathing criticisms of deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, igniting significant controversy. The messages, detailed in the forthcoming book, Fratelli di chat, by journalist Giacomo Salvini, document interactions among party figures which reflect deep-seated tensions and rivalries within the coalition government.
Describing Salvini using derogatory terms such as "bimbominkia" and "cialtrone ridicolo," members of Fratelli d'Italia expressed harsh sentiments concerning their political ally during various exchanges. These revelations come from WhatsApp chats spanning from 2018 to 2024, a time marked by strained relations between Salvini's Lega party and Fratelli d'Italia, especially during their shared governance under Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
The term "bimbominkia," used by the party's undersecretary Giovanbattista Fazzolari, was highlighted as particularly cutting when discussing Salvini's controversial comments on Lebanon. Fazzolari remarked, "The minister bimbominkia strikes again," reminiscent of when tensions escalated over Salvini's diplomatic conduct as the minister of the interior.
Similarly, Guido Crosetto criticized Salvini for flaunting police uniforms without permission, again underlining Fratelli d'Italia's disdain. A message from Crosetto declared Salvini to be "ridiculous" and branded him as another political figure with no respect for the alliance. This narrative of disrespect and derision continued throughout the chat logs, often illustrating the internal schisms within the coalition.
The backlash from these revelations has been swift. Matteo Renzi, leader of the opposition party Italia Viva, pointedly remarked on social media, "A country governed by bimbominkia and people without honor is evident from these chats. Who will resign today? Salvini or Fazzolari? Or, perhaps, both?" Renzi’s critique highlights the growing frustrations from opposition parties concerning the stability and integrity of the coalition government.
The internal dynamics were reportedly tense even before the public caught wind of these interactions. According to sources within Fratelli d'Italia, the coalition had been plagued by disagreements, particularly as governmental priorities shifted under Draghi’s leadership. The leaders of Fratelli d'Italia maintained throughout their tenure with Lega, they could not afford to undermine Salvini publicly; nonetheless, the leaked messages suggest otherwise.
Fazzolari attempted to downplay the repercussions of the firm criticisms, stating, "These were jokes from several years ago shared within a private chat during a time when our political relations were not strong. The publication of private conversations, stripped from their original contexts, can easily paint distorted pictures of our relationships." His comments draw attention to the ethics surrounding such leaks, which many from the coalition defense as unwarranted and problematic.
Interestingly, the chat was reported to have been closed officially following the leaks, with significant unease expressed among party officials about the possible repercussions of internal strife spilling over to public perception. Giorgia Meloni, the leader of Fratelli d'Italia, has been largely silent on this issue, though she too has been pulled under the scrutiny stemming from the book's revelations.
Despite the chaos induced by the message release, Salvini has also maintained his stance, asserting, "If anyone thinks old leaked chats can destabilize our government, they're mistaken. These reflect discussions from another political era and do not correlate to our current sentiments as allies." His commitment to party unity and governance, he asserts, is significantly stronger than the perceptions built from these past conversations.
The publication of Fratelli di chat is set to add fuel to fire, potentially reshaping perspectives on Fratelli d'Italia as well as the broader right-wing coalition, which has been under increasing scrutiny as parliamentary duties expand. With Salvini already irritated by these revelations, there is speculation on how such tensions might surface during significant legislative initiatives moving forward.
Public and media reactions have highlighted ethical concerns tied to the publication of private conversations among lawmakers, particularly those involving coalition partners who may need to cooperate closely to govern effectively. Critics, including representatives from the opposition parties, have called for accountability across the board, arguing it reflects broader issues within the right-wing alignment.
Overall, the release of these internal dialogues paints a bruised picture of Fratelli d'Italia's relationship with its coalition partner, prompting questions about governance and accountability. The political dynamics are bound to remain under close observation as Italy navigates through its complex political terrain. Renzi’s biting critiques will serve as amplifiers for public discourse concerning not only Fratelli d'Italia but the legitimacy and performance of the coalition as Italy's governmental body.