Italy’s Lega calls for President Mattarella’s resignation after pro-EU comments

5 months ago 13

Italian President Sergio Mattarella stressed the importance of close ties between Italy and Europe on the 78th anniversary of Italy’s Republic Day on Sunday, prompting Lega, the far-right party of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, to call for his resignation.

“The founding fathers were aware of the risks and limitations of national isolation and dreamed of an Italy open to Europe, close to the peoples fighting for their freedoms worldwide,” Mattarella said in a message to the Chief of Defence Staff to celebrate 78 years of the Italian Republic.

On the day of the celebrations, the Italian President laid the traditional laurel wreath at the Milite Ignoto at the Altare della Patria in Rome, accompanied by the highest state officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after which the traditional parade began.

In his speeches, Mattarella addressed a recurring theme: the danger of nationalism leading to new internal conflicts in Europe, citing the two world wars that occurred less than 30 years apart.

Meloni, who is campaigning in the European elections, also delivered an EU-focused message.

“Ultimately, this celebration reminds us of the first idea of Europe, which imagined its strength, the strength of its union, as also the specificity of national states. Perhaps we should return to that embryonic idea of Europe and the European dream,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lega Senator Claudio Borghi reacted sharply to Mattarella’s remarks on X.

“Today is 2 June. It is the Italian Republic Day. Today, it consecrates the sovereignty of our nation. If the President truly believes that sovereignty belongs to the European Union instead of Italy, he should resign out of coherence, because his role would no longer make sense,” he wrote.

Salvini spoke about the ceremony in an interview on Sunday, saying: “Today is the day of the Italians, the Republic, so it is not the day of European sovereignty. What is European sovereignty?”

“I think of Europe as sovereign states coming together, but national sovereignty is fundamental,” he explained, adding that “today we celebrate the Italian Republic. I will never surrender to a European super-state where those who have the money are in control.”

Opposition parties also reacted in unison, not only criticising Lega’s accusations but also condemning Salvini for not contradicting Borghi when he called for Mattarella’s resignation.

(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)