Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a strong public appeal on Wednesday, calling on citizens to take a stand against political violence. This call to action came in direct response to an assault targeting four young members of her own political party's youth organisation.
Attack on a Sensitive Anniversary
The disturbing incident took place on a date heavy with historical significance for Italy's far-right. Wednesday marked the 48th anniversary of the killing of three neo-fascist youths in Rome in 1978. According to accounts from eyewitnesses, the activists from Meloni's party were physically beaten while they were engaged in putting up posters. These posters were meant to commemorate the deaths of the three teenagers at a location called Via Acca Larentia. This site has long served as a gathering point for far-right groups in Italy.
Reacting swiftly to the news of the attack, Prime Minister Meloni described the 1978 episode as a deeply painful chapter in the nation's history. She characterised that period as one defined by dark years filled with terrorism and intense political hatred. "Too much innocent blood was shed, from multiple sides," she stated, acknowledging the complexity of that era.
A Painful Historical Legacy
The three teenagers who lost their lives in 1978 were members of the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI). This was a neo-fascist party that was formed in the aftermath of the Second World War. Reports from that time indicate that two of the youths were shot by militants associated with left-wing groups. The third teenager died later on the same day after being shot by a police officer. This fatal shooting occurred during riots that erupted following the initial killings. A significant and unresolved fact is that none of the individuals responsible for these deaths were ever convicted in a court of law.
In her statement addressing the recent violence, Meloni was unequivocal. "We have the duty to preserve memory and to clearly reaffirm that political violence, in all its forms, is always a defeat. It is never justifiable. It must never return," the Prime Minister asserted.
Meloni's Call for Dialogue and Democracy
The four activists who were attacked on Wednesday belong to Gioventu Nazionale, which is known as the National Youth wing. This group is part of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party. Fortunately, none of the young members are believed to have sustained serious injuries. However, their vehicle was damaged, with its windscreen smashed in during the altercation.
Meloni emphasised that Italy must consciously choose a path of respect, constructive dialogue, and peaceful civil coexistence. She added a powerful reminder about the foundations of democracy, stating, "When an idea is silenced by force, democracy loses. Always."
The annual commemoration at Via Acca Larentia is traditionally a controversial event. It has often been marked by hundreds of participants giving the stiff-armed Roman salute and shouting "presente" (present). This chant is a well-known rallying cry used by neo-fascist groups across Italy.
It is important to note that Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has historical connections to the old MSI party. Despite this lineage, Prime Minister Meloni has repeatedly and firmly rejected claims that her current party maintains strong ties with the far right. In 2023, she insisted that her administration held "no nostalgia for fascism." The following year, she adopted an even tougher position. She stated that any member of Brothers of Italy who was found glorifying Italy's fascist era should be expelled from the party. This stern warning came after an undercover media investigation published footage. The footage showed some party members performing fascist salutes and shouting "Sieg Heil."
