In a heated parliamentary debate on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's comments on the 1941 Manifesto of Ventotene sparked a furious backlash from opposition parties. Meloni claimed during her address that the manifesto, which is foundational to European integration and was penned by anti-fascist figures during their imprisonment, does not represent her vision of Europe, stating emphatically, "I don't know if this is your Europe, but it's certainly not mine."
This unprecedented statement provoked immediate protests from opposition members, primarily from the Democratic Party (PD) and the Five Star Movement (M5S), leading parliament Speaker Lorenzo Fontana to suspend the session twice due to the uproar. Elly Schlein, the leader of the PD, launched a scathing critique of Meloni's stance, accusing her of attempting to rewrite history and of lacking the courage to defend European values against figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. "Giorgia Meloni does not have the courage to defend the values on which the (European) Union is based from the attacks, and by hiding her government's divisions, she insults European memory," Schlein declared.
Meloni's speech referred to the manifesto as disconnected from her political ideals, igniting accusations from the opposition that she was undermining the legacy of the document which advocates for a federation of European states to safeguard peace and liberty. The Manifesto, drafted by Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi while they were imprisoned by the fascist regime on the island of Ventotene, has long been celebrated as a cornerstone of the European Union's founding principles.
"The Manifesto of Ventotene insults the memory of those who fought for our freedoms," Schlein asserted, highlighting the antifascist roots of the document and questioning Meloni's identification with the constitutional values shaped by the same anti-fascists.
As Meloni read excerpts from the manifesto during her speech, including controversial passages advocating for socialist ideas and the abolition of private property, the opposition erupted in chants of "shame!" and accusations of fascism, further compounding the session's chaos. In her defense, Meloni posted a video of the controversial segment of her speech on social media, encouraging the public to form their own opinions, whilst simultaneously challenging her critics to clarify their position on historical matters.
Elly Schlein's pointed response included a call for Meloni to publicly embrace antifascism, underscoring that the very democracy they debate today is rooted in the struggles against fascism fought by individuals like Spinelli. "If we are discussing this in a democratic Parliament, it is thanks to figures like them," she reminded the assembly, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of antifascism in current political discourse.
The tension in the chamber reflected a deep-seated ideological divide as lawmakers grappling with national identity and Italy's role within Europe debated the legitimacy of Meloni's vision. Supporters of Meloni, like Riccardo Molinari of the League, defended her remarks, asserting that her rejection of the manifesto is a bold stance against an ideology that invokes a socialist past. In contrast, members of the PD, like Piero De Luca, raised alarms over what they perceive as a dangerous flirtation with fascist rhetoric, denouncing Meloni's statements as an affront to Italy's democratic foundations.
As Meloni emphasized her allegiance to Italy—mentioning that she does not follow the dictates of the EU or the U.S.—her remarks highlighted the complexity of her position as she navigates alliances both domestically and internationally. "I stand with Italy. I stand with Europe, but I also advocate for the unity of the West," she maintained during moments of contention with opposition lawmakers.
Adding fuel to the fire, Meloni’s alignment with Trump, particularly in the context of recent geopolitical events involving discussions of peace negotiations between Trump and Putin, further complicated perceptions of her leadership. She infused her remarks with optimism about potential ceasefire discussions, framing them as a "first glimmer of hope" while attending to concerns raised by her critics about her government's defense strategy and approach to international relations.
Others, like Maurizio Lupi from the moderate faction, argued that respecting historical figures does not preclude the right to critique their ideas. "Criticizing a manifesto is absolutely legitimate; failing to honor those who sacrificed for freedom is a mistake," Lupi asserted.
Ultimately, the debate illuminated the fractious nature of Italian politics as it stands at a crossroads of identity, history, and future directions within both the EU and a shifting global landscape. The fallout from Meloni's speech may signal an ongoing struggle over how political narratives are constructed and contested, particularly against the backdrop of the upcoming EU Council meeting where these tensions will undoubtedly play out further.
As the session concluded and members of the government prepared for discussions in Brussels, the significant rifts in opinion about Italy's ideological footing continued to reverberate throughout the Chamber, suggesting that this conversation about Ventotene and its meanings is far from over.
