Roberto Vannacci went from general to self-proclaimed professor for his “rehash” of fascism to “those who have studied history in PD manuals”. In a lengthy post on Facebook, the League’s number two ‘re-wrote’ the Twentieth Anniversary, quickly drawing the ire of Pd and Avs who, in unison, accused him of “revisionism”, noting that fascism “is a dictatorship” and calling for intervention from the League.
But the person concerned disagreed and argued: “Sometimes this is an unpleasant truth. I do nothing other than report the chronology that can be found in any document, reporting among other sources historians who state this. If this controversy continues, the next book will be ‘reverse history’, he said, paraphrasing the name of his movement, World in Reverse.
The European Parliament, which attached several photos from several books about the Duce written by historian Renzo De Felice, begins with Mussolini’s arrival in the Chamber: “On 15 May 1921, Benito Mussolini was elected to Parliament with the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento. He was the third most voted member of parliament in Italy” and again: “The March on Rome was not a coup but ‘more than a street demonstration’ (Francesco Perfetti – historian)”.
Suffice it to see that “The Imperial Army, under the king’s orders, had every possibility of stopping the advance on Rome but Vittorio Emanuele III refused to sign the state of siege and, on 29 October, summoned Mussolini to Rome (who had arrived conveniently by train from Milan) and ordered him to form a coalition government”. Matteo Salvini’s party number two underscored how the first government led by the Duce had representatives from “liberal, popular and nationalist” parties.
And finally: “All major laws – from the electoral reform of 1923 to the regulations on single parties, to the law of 1938 (racial law ed.) – were approved by Parliament and promulgated by the King, in accordance with the procedures established by law”.
In the long list of dates and events there is no reference to Matteotti’s crimes. Opposition forces attacked the MEP’s post and asked for intervention from the League leader: “Salvini’s silence on Vannacci’s fascist provocations is simply shameful”, attacking Dem senator Francesco Verducci who continued: “If the League is still an anti-fascist party, let them intervene and assume Vannacci’s role which is a violation of the Republic and our Constitution”.
The Avs’ stance was also harsh: “Vannacci – underlines Luana Zanella – lost the elections in Tuscany, talks too much about fascism, incites people on social media. He is not a dangerous person but is a bit ridiculous, but a rebellion in the federalist and anti-fascist League would be nice”.
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