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Backs turned during La Russa's speech spark controversy at Marcinelle memorial
🇮🇹 Italy /Culture & Society

Backs turned during La Russa's speech spark controversy at Marcinelle memorial

From Corriere della Sera · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A political controversy erupted in Marcinelle, Belgium, during commemorations for the 1956 mining tragedy.
  • A group turned their backs during speeches by Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa and an MEP.
  • Fratelli d'Italia accused the CGIL union of the gesture, but the union's leader denied involvement, suggesting a Belgian union was responsible.

A political storm has broken out following an incident at the Bois du Cazier in Belgium during commemorations for the 1956 mining tragedy. A group of individuals wearing red scarves and hoodies turned their backs while Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Brothers of Italy MEP Antonella Sberna were speaking.

Brothers of Italy and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pointed fingers at representatives of the CGIL union, accusing them of the disrespectful gesture. However, CGIL's General Secretary Maurizio Landini refuted the claims, stating, "They are building something on a falsehood. The CGIL delegation was seated at the front and did not turn around."

They are building something on a falsehood. The CGIL delegation was seated at the front and did not turn around.

— Maurizio LandiniCGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini denied his union's involvement in the gesture.

Landini asserted, "He looked everyone in the face and is not turning away from anyone." Videos circulating online suggest that the individuals who turned their backs were actually representatives of the Belgian FGTB union, not the Italian CGIL.

He looked everyone in the face and is not turning away from anyone.

— Maurizio LandiniCGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini denied his union's involvement in the gesture.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Corriere della Sera in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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