#Italian Politics

[sidmjkgc]

In less than a week in Italy we had:

the Pope saying "there's too much faggotry in the seminary"

the Prime Minister announcing herself as "I'm that bitch Meloni"

a right wing party saying to vote for Berlusconi, who died a year ago

the leader of the racist party saying "more Italy, less Europe" and complaining about the new bottle caps

the main candidate of said racist party saying to vote with "an X like Decima Mas" a literal fascist naval flotilla

Feel free to add more or update, there's still another week of election campaign.

[vavuska]

Imane Khelif.

In 2018 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Khelif participated for the first time, where she ranked 17th after being eliminated from the first round.

In the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships held in Russia, where she ranked 33rd after being eliminated from the first round against Natalia Shadrina.

Khelif represented Algeria in the lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She was defeated by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.

Khelif participated in the 2022 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, she faced Ireland's Amy Broadhurst in the final and was defeated.

She is not a warmachine. Khelif is a biological woman. Khelif is NOT transgender or transsexual. In Algeria, the country that Khelif represents, transgender identity is prohibited, changing sex or gender is not allowed in official documents, nor are medical or hormonal treatments allowed to transition to another sex. If she was transgender, Khelif would not be able to rapresent her country at all nor travel with an official passport with a female identity!

However, pop up this rumor she was disqualified from 2023 IBA's Women's World Boxing Championships due to high levels of testosterone. Later this was debunked by the same organization. Potentially, could be doping and it was all covered up by sport industry.

Edit: This disqualification happened three days after Khelif defeated Azalia Amineva, a previously unbeaten Russian athlete. The disqualification restored the Russian boxer's undefeated record and IBA has huge ties with the Russian government: the president Kremlev is a Putin supporter and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed concerns about the IBA under Kremlev's leadership. The IOC has also been alarmed by the fact that the IBA's only sponsor was a Russian state-owned energy company (Gazprom) that supports the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Imane Khelif is a UNICEF ambassador, which could again have been seen as a problem by Russian-led IBA, since UNICEF condemned Russian invasion of Ukraine. IBA's allegations that Khelif had failed unspecified eligibility tests are suspicious, expecially because no medical evidence that Khelif has XY chromosomes or elevated levels of testosterone has been published.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), cleared Khelif to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, confirming that she complied with all necessary eligibility and medical regulations for the event. The IOC noted that Khelif was a woman according to her passport and that this was not a "transgender issue".

She defeated Angela Carini in 42 seconds at the 2024 Olympics, after Carini decided to withdraw citing intense pain in her nose.

This remember me the 'Caster Semenya' case: after Semenya's victory at the 2009 World Championships, she was made to undergo sex testing, and cleared to return to competition the following year. The decision to perform sex testing sparked controversy in the sporting world and in Semenya's home country of South Africa. Later reports disclosed that Semenya has the intersex condition 5α-reductase 2 deficiency and natural testosterone levels in the typical male range.

In 2019, new World Athletics rules came into force preventing athletes like Semenya with certain disorders of sex development (DSDs) from participating in 400m, 800m, and 1500m events in the female classification, unless they take medication to suppress their testosterone levels. Semenya has filed a series of legal cases to restore her ability to compete in these events without testosterone suppression, arguing that the World Athletics rules are discriminatory.

As Khelif, Semenya is cis and has been accused by many people to be trans. Her story has, again, been used and abused to support the anti-trans agenda, claiming that two ciswomen are trans and are unfairly competing with women due to their superior "men strength".

I think Angela Carini was anxious and scared by days of reporter and far-right rumors about how Khelif is incredibly strong and unbeatable, even if Carini has better statistics and more victories in her career than Khelif herself (who was already a Olympics athlete), she was strumentalized by far-right propaganda and made a scene during the match due to anti-trans panic.

J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk, as always, had their small moment of shaming athletes. Most of people think that Carini has been strumentalized by anti-trans Italian propaganda and after being called out for harassing a cisgender woman, she claimed to be sorry for not having respected her adversary during the match.

Edit: more important thoughts on the matter in a detailed political perspective in Italy - A New York Times article develops more extensively what I wrote here.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/olympics/boxer-quits-gender-angela-carini-imane-khelif.html?smid=threads-nytimes

Edit 2: Imane Khelif spoke against cyberbullism.

Edit 3: Since in those past days we talked a lot about cis women being called men for not meeting western TERFs standard, I should resurface this old post about how a group of Chinese cis runners were wrongfully called "men" by TERFs.

Edit 4: Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling have been named in the cyberbullying lawsuit filed by Olympic champion Imane Khelif.

Edit 5 - 13th Sept. 2024: Imane Khelif interview

Edit 6 - 13th Sept. 2024: Imane Khelif won gold medal in boxing. Appreciation post.

[calabria-mediterranea]

A high-profile Italian author has accused Rai of censorship after his antifascist monologue was abruptly stopped from being aired, in what he called the “definitive demonstration” of alleged attempts by Giorgia Meloni’s government to wield its power over the state broadcaster.

Antonio Scurati was due to read the monologue marking the 25 April national holiday, which celebrates Italy’s liberation from fascism, on the Rai 3 talkshow Chesarà on Saturday night.

But as he prepared to travel to Rome, he received a note from Rai telling him his appearance had been cancelled “for editorial reasons”.

Scurati is well known in Italy for his books about the dictator Benito Mussolini and the fascist period. The cancellation of his monologue provoked fierce reaction from Rai journalists, fellow authors and opposition leaders.

His speech referenced Giacomo Matteotti, a political opponent of Mussolini who was murdered by fascist hitmen in 1924, and other massacres of the regime. It also contained a paragraph criticising Italy’s “post-fascist” leaders for not “repudiating their neofascist past”.

“Undoubtedly, this is what infuriated them,” Scurati told the Guardian. “And also because of what I represent and maintain in my books … [that] there is a continuity between the fascism of Mussolini and the populist nationalists in Europe.”

The Rai director Paolo Corsini denied that the monologue had been censored, telling the Italian media that an investigation “of an economic and contractual nature” was under way, while implying that the speech was cancelled because of the “higher than expected” fee sought by Scurati.

Scurati said his fee had been agreed and the contract signed before the monologue was due to be broadcast. “The fee was perfectly in line with those paid to authors … It was the same as in the past, when there were no issues.”

In solidarity, Serena Bortone, who presents Chesarà, read out the monologue on the show. It has also been published in full by several Italian newspapers and websites.

Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neofascist origins, came to power in October 2022 with a coalition including the far-right League and the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia.

During the election campaign, Meloni said the rightwing parties had “handed fascism over to history for decades now”. However, Scurati claimed in his monologue that when forced to address fascism at historical anniversaries, Meloni has “obstinately stuck to the ideological line of her neofascist culture of origin”, for example by blaming the Mussolini regime’s persecution of the Jews and other massacres on Nazi Germany alone.

Meloni responded by publishing the speech on her Facebook page, while attacking Scurati and accusing the left of “shouting at the regime”.

“Rai responded by simply refusing to pay €1,800 (the monthly salary of many employees) for a minute of monologue,” she said. “I don’t know what the truth is, but I will happily publish the text of the monologue (which I hope I don’t have to pay for) for two reasons: 1) Those who have always been ostracised and censored by the public service will never ask for anyone to be censored. Not even those who think their propaganda against the government should be paid for with citizens’ money. 2) Because Italians can freely judge its content.”

Since coming to power, the Meloni government has been accused of increasingly exerting its power over Rai while edging out managers or TV hosts with leftwing views. The European Commission was last week urged to investigate the government’s alleged attempts to turn the broadcaster into a “megaphone” for the ruling parties before the European elections.

Meloni’s administration has also been accused of trying to influence other areas of the press and targeting journalists with legal action who criticise the government. A Brothers of Italy politician recently proposed toughening penalties for defamation, including jail terms of two to three years.

Elly Schlein, the leader of the centre-left Democratic party, said: “The Scurati case is serious; Rai is the megaphone for the government.” Carlo Calenda, the leader of the centrist Azione party, said: “Silencing a writer for saying unpleasant things about the government is simply unacceptable.”

Scurati said he has received solidarity from many authors and journalists who were otherwise afraid to speak out against the government.

“This episode is the definitive demonstration, as it has finally aroused the revolt of other writers, intellectuals and journalists who until now kept quiet,” he said. “This government launches violent personal attacks against you for speaking out, in my case [that] I asked for too much money.”

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[stephen9260]

Istg two immortal political assholes down in less than a year this is surreal

Prima cosa che ho pensato è che non ci sono abbastanza granchi che li abbiamo usati tutti settembre scorso per la Lizzie

Addio Berlusca you won't be missed

[inkyself]

“America is gonna make a convicted felon president!!” Yeah? Italy did it first you’re not special

[regina-del-cielo]

E adesso fuori i popcorn che lo spettacolo dell'autodistruzione di Forza Italia dall'interno sta per cominciare

[chiaraforfun]

In Italy, everyone is shocked by the election results in America, and okay, but... do you realize who we have in government, right? Are you sure you can judge?

And many of our politicians have also congratulated the outcome, so, again, are you sure you can judge?

[misspeppermint2003]

🇳🇱🇺🇸👨‍❤️‍👨 Rutte x Obama Gay Kiss Meme 👨‍❤️‍👨🇺🇸🇳🇱

Tonight, I'd just recently found this picture of Dutch PM Mark Rutte and 44th U.S. President Barack Obama kissing in the sky. Also, there's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi at the beach in it, holding hands and looking at them up in a sky kissing.

This picture I found is originally from Bestweter.

Picture of Rutte and Obama kissing and Putin and Berlusconi holding hands and looking up in the sky at the beach from Bestweter - 4th September 2016

[the-woke-left]

I love people being like "only in America" regarding the Trump conviction as if these aren't the most Berlusconi crimes possible

[workersolidarity]

🇮🇹🇵🇸 🚨

PRO-PALESTINE PROTEST IN MILAN CONDEMNING ISRAEL'S ONGOING GENOCIDE IN THE GAZA STRIP

📹 Pro-Palestine protesters gather on a public square in Milan, Italy, condemning Israel's ongoing war of genocide in the Gaza Strip and standing in Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

#source

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[larmegliamori]

Nuovo tag game per Tumbrl Italia: cosa stavate facendo nel momento in cui avete ricevuto la notizia della morte di Berlusca

[sayitaliano]

Ciao! I'd like to learn more about Italian politics (local and country wide). Do you have any website recommendations in Italian, maybe ones with mid-level language for a general audience?

Ciao!

There's the Italian government website (that you can find in English as well) where you can find also the various Ministeri's + other correlated websites. Not sure about the language used as there may be some difficult words but since there's also the ENG version it could work. Ofc you may not be able to access all of its parts because it's for Italians, but I think you can find all of our laws and general politics stuff?

And then there are all the various newspapers and online news blogs (which may be biased ofc, since they too may be supporting a certain party politics-wise). I think I already mentioned a few in the resources masterpost, but some of them are: Avvenire, Corriere della Sera, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Il Foglio, Il Giornale, Il Manifesto, Il Mattino, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, Il Tempo, La Gazzetta dello Sport, La Repubblica, La Stampa, Libero, L'Unità, Il Giorno, Il Resto del Carlino, La Nazione, Il Secolo XIX... These days most of them require a subscription on their website (or at least not all the news are for free). I read you can check them from the Senato's website (worth checking since they have a webtv too + a version for youngers and a youtube channel) but still... it may require a subscription too.

You can check both RAInews and TGcom24 but ofc these too can be biased.

I think there's the website called ILPost too that can offer a newspaper-like + podcasts and more.

Wikipedia, especially to know the basics of how our government works/is made, may be another good option anyway (for example how our Parlamento works, but ofc start by searching for Governo, Senato, Camera dei Deputati too and then move local like in Regioni, Province e Comuni. I had made a post some time ago, but please look at Wikipedia :)). And ofc all the social media of the government and senato too could help.

Maybe reading the ricerche correlate to a subject (which could be senato, parlamento, governo...) like this

could be more your cup of tea? You may find easy answers in Italian about our politics and what is going on.

Italians, if you have better suggestions, please share!

[calabria-mediterranea]

Giorgia Meloni accused of splitting Italy over law to let richer regions keep taxes

Critics say differentiated autonomy bill, which sparked brawl in parliament, will increase poverty in south

Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Italy’s far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has been accused of “splitting the country” after parliament approved a controversial bill granting regions more power, which critics say will increase poverty in the south.

The change, approved by the lower house early on Wednesday after a fiery debate that lasted all night, is part of the government’s overhaul of the Italian state, including a bill approved by the upper house on Tuesday that would allow for the direct election of a prime minister.

The “differentiated autonomy” bill, sought by the wealthy rightwing-led Lombardy and Veneto as well as the leftwing Emilia-Romagna, gives regions more power over how their tax revenues are collected and spent, and over public services such as health and education.

The approval of the bill, which passed with 172 votes in favour and 99 against, was hailed by Matteo Salvini, the leader of Lega, the ruling coalition member which for years has championed the move, as “a victory for all Italians”.

Meloni said it was “a step forward towards building a stronger and fairer Italy”, and argued it would “overcome the differences there are today between various parts of the country”.

Critics say that if the wealthier regions are able to keep more of their tax earnings it will mean fewer financial resources for poorer regions, which are predominantly in the south.

The measure was so bitterly contested it led to a brawl in parliament last week, with a politician from the opposition Five Star Movement needing medical assistance. The fight triggered a demonstration by opposition parties in Rome on Tuesday night, who said they were rallying “to defend national unity” in the face of the two bills and to protest against alleged “violence and intimidation” by the ruling coalition.

Elly Schlein, the leader of the centre-left Democratic party (PD), said the measure was divisive and would increase inequality. “Meloni, the patriot who splits the country,” she said. “Brothers of Italy has bowed to Lega’s secessionist dreams.”

The bill allowing the direct election of a prime minister is a significant constitutional overhaul which Meloni has vigorously promoted, describing it as “the mother of all reforms”.

Under the proposal, the prime minister would be elected for five years and the coalition supporting the winning candidate would be given at least 55% of seats, a law Meloni argues would help end Italy’s revolving-door governments. Critics fear the bill, reminiscent of a constitutional change made by the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini about a century ago, could lead Italy towards authoritarianism.

Any change to the constitution must be approved by both houses of parliament with a two-thirds majority. The upper house vote fell short, a result expected to be repeated in the lower house, meaning the bill will almost certainly be put to a referendum, which could be held in 2025.

Source: The Guardian

[mrs-bingley]

[gfanlocalcryptid]

The italian vice premier and minister of infrastructure and mobility Matteo Salvini said the 7/14/2024 in an interview regarding the Trump assassination attempt "I hope this will be useful to anyone who sows words of hatred and malevolence against the right-wing, against the fascists, against the racists and against Trump"

[regina-del-cielo]

Italian news channels, journalists, political podcasts: announce that Berlusconi is in intensive care with grave faces, talk about the way he's dominated Italian politics and society for almost thirty years, and about how everyone is so worried about him, send wishes of good health

Every single Italian on the Internet: [chanting in a prayer circle] MUORI MUORI MUORI MUORI MUORI MUORI MUORI