The Whoop directly at FdI headquarters: "The fascists must die." Fireworks in Biella
Mayor's Response
Protest Rally with the Loudcall "Comrades Should Perish" and the Mayor's Non-Appearance
Olivero, the mayor, hits back: "I'll be honest, the interpellation doesn't exactly set my heart racing, nor do I plan to discuss the official or not presence of assessor Pisani, whom I must apologize for putting in an unseemly situation." According to him, "there was a lack of decorum among those who transformed the Workers' Day celebrations into a political spectacle, ignoring the fact that not every worker identifies with the left." Olivero feels that it was impolite to transform the event into a pre-referendum and anti-government rally, without considering that the majority of the country might not appreciate marching amid the PD flags and those with the hammer and sickle, with clenched fist salutes, Alliance Greens Left banners, and Anpi banners.
The PD Secretary's Response
Basso's fiery words only escalate the debate. "His intolerance for diverse opinions and his condescending language are evident," argues Basso. The mayor should bear in mind that he is the mayor of everyone, not just the right, he adds. The yelled phrase is undoubtedly inappropriate and condemnable, as we stated earlier, but it cannot be used to label the entire march, Basso contends. The mere presence of the Anpi seems enough to question the pulpit's credibility. Filoni of Avs weighs in on the atmosphere during the march: "From the balcony, Zappalà and assessor Franceschini even invited me for a coffee," he claims.
Dig Deeper: Broader Tensions
While there is no direct mention of the 1st May march contributing to the conflict, the controversy over Benito Mussolini's honorary citizenship in Biella highlights broader tensions and ideological divisions within Biella's political landscape. A motion was proposed by the “M come Matteotti” committee to revoke Mussolini's honorary citizenship in Biella, emphasizing the ongoing debate about the legacy of fascism and historical memory.
- Background: The proposal to revoke Mussolini's honorary citizenship has caused a significant stir among council members and the local community.
- Council Vote: The proposal was rejected by the city council, with 17 votes in favor of maintaining the honorary citizenship, 10 against, and two abstentions.
- Mayor's Statement: Mayor Olivero referred to historical context, noting that even post-World War II, anti-fascists didn't deem it necessary to revoke Mussolini's honorary citizenship.
- Reactions: Discontent among some council members, like Alessandra Guarini, who expressed frustration with ongoing reminders of fascism, can be noted. Paolo Furia, from the Partito Democratico, criticized the right-wing for not supporting the motion despite claiming anti-fascist sentiments.
The conflict between Biella's mayor and left-wing figures, in terms of the 1st May march and its aftermath, may not have a direct connection to this broader tension. However, the uneasy relationship between the two parties is highlighted by their contrasting views on historical remembrance.
The rejection of the motion to revoke Benito Mussolini's honorary citizenship by the city council, with a close vote of 17 in favor and 10 against, underscores the deep-rooted ideological divisions within Biella's political landscape. The assessor, Pisani's presence at the 1st May march, which saw a highlighted increased political polarization, might be associated with these broader tensions. The average council member's stance on the historical remembrance of fascism and its legacy seems to be a significant factor contributing to the city's political policy-and-legislation and general news in recent times. Some local members, like Alessandra Guarini, have expressed dissent over renewed reminders of fascism, while others, such as Paolo Furia from the Partito Democratico, critique the right-wing for failing to support the motion despite claiming commitment to anti-fascist sentiments.
