Fratelli d'Italia's youth wing praise Mussolini in regional headquarters

 ROME – Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has drawn criticism from opposition politicians after a video of youth members of Fratelli d’Italia chanting “Duce” in the FdI’s Parma headquarters has emerged, local sources said.

 The video, circulating on social media, shows members of Gioventù Nazionale, the FdI’s youth wing, chanting Mussolini’s title “Duce! Duce” and singing the song “Me ne frego” (I don’t care). The lyrics of the song, which can be heard in the video include “we don’t care about prison, the Blackshirts will triumph. If they don't triumph, there will be carnage with truncheons and hand grenades!”

 This incident allegedly took place on Oct. 28, the anniversary of the March on Rome, the event in which Mussolini seized control of Italy. The incident occurred at the FdI’s office in Parma on Borgo del Parmigianino.

 Leader of the Democratic Party (Pd), Elly Schlein called the situation “very serious”, hitting out at Giorgia Meloni for not condemning the act. Schlein said “we are waiting to hear a statement from the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni distancing herself”, before adding “perhaps she [Meloni] will remain silent this time too.”

 Meloni has previously been slow to distance herself from the youth wing of FdI, which had previously come under fire in 2024 after videos emerged of members shouting “zeig heil” and performing Roman salutes.

 The Pd’s Emilia-Romagna regional secretary, Luigi Tosiani, said that “right in the city centre, fascism and the Duce are being proudly glorified.” He added that “we feel shame and indignation when we think of the values of our Emilia-Romagna region, of those who fought and died to liberate our country.” Mussolini was born and raised in the Emilia-Romagna region, which is known for its politically active environment and its often left-wing leaning. 

 The city's anti-fascist collective, Azione Antifascista, has called for a protest at 6 p.m. in Borgo del Parmigianino, a few meters from the local headquarters of FdI.

 khg