Photo: Ansa
The temperature was very high in the DPR during the discussion of the Valditara Bill. The section most opposed by the opposition was the one introducing parental consent for emotional education courses in schools. It was the Minister of Education himself who stirred up the anger, directing harsh attacks against opposition groups in the DPR. “I am angry that sensitive topics such as feminization and gender violence have been exploited. You say that” the bill “prevents the fight against feminization and gender violence, you say that, shame on you”, said Giuseppe Valditara from the government bench, pointing a finger at centre-left exponents. “This is the truth, the rest is lies, it’s embarrassing,” he added in conclusion while slamming his speech paper firmly onto the table.
The words were spoken amidst shouts of protest from the opposition. It was a brawl, with the vice president of the House trying several times to calm the minds of the center-left. The one who counterattacked. The opposition criticized the minister’s remarks as “arrogant”. “The ‘disgraceful’ must be withdrawn, because the minister has thrown abuses at the entire DPR,” said PD MP Andrea Casu. “You have to apologize now, otherwise it will be impossible and impossible for this place to agree to this action”, warned Avs representative Marco Grimaldi. Which announces obstacles that will continue throughout the day. For Andrea Quartini of M5S “it is a disgrace that the Minister of Education is making such ‘shameful’ appeals to this institution’s right to express itself”.
Northern League deputy Simonetta Matone intervened in Valditara’s defense and invited the minority to “reply to the minister’s words point by point”. However, the climate heated up again when Valditara intervened again from the government bench. “I am the first to believe that the debate should be poisoned by controversy and heated and strong pitches,” he says calmly. But he still insisted: “I would like to clarify that my statement was not personal, but rather political, related to specific allegations.” The opposition groaned. The minister continued: “My statement was not directed at any of you. I apologize if anyone feels offended, but I assure you that this bill does not weaken the fight against feminization in any way.” Then, it appeared again. “Now if you will excuse me, but I have to go to Puglia because I have made an institutional commitment”, said Valditara, leaving the room as soon as his speech ended.
And center-left groups returned to violent protests. It was “unacceptable” for opposition deputies to continue examining amendments in the House without the minister’s presence. Those who are invited to “apologize” with a series of interventions that paralyze work. The group leader requests that a group leader be held. And, while waiting for a response from President Lorenzo Fontana, they effectively blocked scrutiny of the bill with a series of parliamentary stratagems. First a request to postpone the hearing, then a request to reverse the order of work, and finally a request to send the text back to the Commission. The reason is always the same and can be summarized as follows: “We cannot move forward until Valditara returns to the Council to apologize”. However all requests were rejected by the Council which was suspended to allow the group leaders to meet and decide on the continuation of the work. It was decided to postpone the bill’s hearing in the House, where a new fight is expected.
