Lega politician leaves economy ministry post over ‘Parco Mussolini’ debacle.
Following his controversial proposal to rename a park after the brother of Benito Mussolini, a right-wing politician and member of the Italian government resigned.
Claudio Durigon, who was the undersecretary of the economy ministry, tendered his resignation on 26th August following a meeting with his Lega party leader Matteo Salvini.
Durigon proposed a park in Latina, a Fascist-era seaside city south of Rome, revert to its original name of Parco Arnaldo Mussolini. The park currently bears the names of magistrates and Mafia victims, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.
Durigon’s statement
In a statement Durigon apologised for his suggestion, raised during a political rally. He said he “made [it] in good faith”, reported news agency ANSA.
“I am sorry I have been attributed a “fascist” identity, in which I do not recognise myself in any way. I am not, and have never been, a fascist.” ItalyNews.Online hardly thinks this constitutes an apology, with its egotistical slant.
Durigon’s proposal had caused significant political tensions in the government coalition of premier Mario Draghi, who so far has remained silent on the matter.
Giuseppe Conte, leader of the populist Movimento 5 Stelle, and Enrico Letta, leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), both felt Durigon’s position was untenable.
Durigon’s ‘idea’, as reported earlier by Italy News.Online, was not the only right-wing attempt to rename public spaces after 20th century fascists. Read more, here.
