Politicians in Rome and Latina suggest renaming public spaces after Hitler and the brother of Mussolini.
Two politicians sparked outrage as they suggest renaming public spaces after fascists – Adolf Hitler and Arnaldo Mussolini.
Andrea Santucci, a former councillor for the League party caused outrage after suggesting renaming a Rome square after Adolf Hitler.
A former firefighter, Santucci proposed renaming Rome’s Piazzale dei Partigiani (Square of the Partisans) after the Nazi dictator. The square faces the Roma Ostiense railway station built in 1938, creating a monumental station to receive the German dictator.
The Rome Mayor, Virginia Raggi, said on Twitter, “The proposal to name Piazzale dei Partigiani after Adolf Hitler is unacceptable and shameful. Rome is a proudly anti-Fascist city. We will never permit such madness”.
Repubblica Roma reported Andrea Santucci words. “If only I had the power to do it, even Piazzale dei Partigiani in Roma Ostiense would be called Piazzale A. Hitler again. They taught me that history teaches us and for better or for worse this is our history, I also believe that due to the blindness of some we lose a lot in terms of tourism in wanting to hide”.
The League distanced itself from Santucci saying he is not a member of the party. Therefore, “any attempt to involve the League for some of this person’s statements means spreading falsehoods and constitutes a serious political exploitation. We are ready to defend our reasons and restore the truth in the appropriate forums”, declared Tony Bruognolo, Coordinator of the League of the Province of South Rome.
Prosecute Santucci?
The Italian Partisans Association ANPI want Santucci prosecuted. “Those words are despicable and I fear that the person who said them does not even feel shame,” Fabrizio De Sanctis, ANPI’s chief in the province of Rome, told ANSA.
“I don’t think it is the midsummer heat but the arrival of the election campaign (for local elections) that brings out these fascists. It is intolerable. He must be charged with apology of Fascism”.
Mussolini’s brother for a park name
Meanwhile, Economy Undersecretary Claudio Durigon of the League, called for a park to be renamed after Arnaldo Mussolini. There have been calls for the League MP to quit.
Currently, the park, in Durigon’s home town of Latina, takes the names of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. They were two anti-mafia prosecuting magistrates murdered by Cosa Nostra in 1992.
Arnaldo Mussolini was Benito’s closest advisor; the brothers called each other on the telephone almost every night. In 1922, when Benito became prime minister, Arnaldo took over leadership of the newspaper founded by his brother. He stayed faithful to the policies of his brother. He also had the task of proofreading Benito’s speeches. Arnaldo died in 1931 from a heart attack, aged 46.
