Italian MEP Ilaria Salis Ordered to Pay Over €300,000 in Compensation to Former Staff

European Parliament member Ilaria Salis faces significant financial penalties after a court ordered her to pay substantial compensation to two former collaborators she dismissed. The ruling requires Salis to pay €147,900 to Valentina Dadda and €153,000 to Francois Gelmetti, totaling nearly €301,000.

The legal dispute centers on Salis's dismissal letters, dated February 17, 2025. In these letters, she cited "objective reasons of professional unsuitability" that had "progressively emerged, becoming absolutely obstructive." Salis pointed to issues such as "completely inefficient management of the email inbox" and an "obvious misunderstanding of [the collaborator's] role as a mere assistant," alleging autonomous management of unagreed activities.

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The respect for judicial sentences, and even more so for workers' rights, is unwavering. Ilaria Salis has declared that in appeal she is sure she can demonstrate her reasons. We will see how the appeal goes, but there is no doubt that for us this remains a firm point.

The case has ignited a political firestorm in Italy. Nicola Fratoianni, leader of the Italian Left party and co-leader of the Greens and Left Alliance (Avs), stated that while respecting judicial rulings and workers' rights is paramount, Salis is confident in proving her case on appeal. He emphasized that the party would await the appeal's outcome.

Conversely, the center-right has seized on the ruling to criticize Salis and the left-wing parties. Giovanni Donzelli of the Brothers of Italy party attacked the left for championing workers' rights while allegedly mistreating their own employees. Online discourse, analyzed by Spin Factor for Adnkronos, shows 87% critical sentiment towards Salis, with emotions like mockery, indignation, and contempt dominating the conversation. Only 7% expressed solidarity.

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For Salis, a conviction is added from which this time she cannot escape as she did for her other judicial affairs. What is embarrassing is that the left fights so hard for workers and then treats its own employees in that way.