Meloni: 'Shameful and Unworthy' to Abolish June 2nd Parade, Slams Salis

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has fiercely condemned suggestions to abolish the annual June 2nd military parade, calling such remarks "shameful and unworthy." Meloni defended the parade as a celebration of national identity, statehood, and the sacrifices of those who serve Italy.

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I read that Italian representatives of institutions go so far as to say that the June 2nd parade should be abolished. I consider these statements not only shameful but also unworthy towards the many indivisible men and women who serve Italy every day with discipline, honor, and spirit of sacrifice.

Her strong reaction came in response to comments made by Ilaria Salis, a European Parliament member from the Avs party. Salis had proposed abolishing the military parade to restore the Festa della Repubblica to its original "civilian, popular, and democratic character," particularly in a time of increasing global conflict and militarism.

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In an era dangerously marked by rearmament, militarism, and ever-closer wars, it would take courage to make a strong and counter-current choice: abolish the military parade of June 2nd and restore the Festa della Repubblica to its original civilian, popular, and democratic character.

Meloni argued that the parade is more than just an institutional commemoration. She believes it embodies the nation's identity and honors those who defend, represent, and uphold the state. "Disrespecting all of this from institutional roles means not having understood anything about our history, the Republic, and the duty one has towards it," Meloni stated on social media.

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I believe that the Festa della Repubblica and the parade do not just celebrate an institutional anniversary: they celebrate the identity of the nation, the sense of the State, and the value of those who defend, represent, and honor that State.

The prime minister emphasized that the parade honors not only institutions but also the discipline, honor, and spirit of sacrifice shown by Italian men and women serving the country. She views any suggestion to eliminate it as a fundamental misunderstanding of Italy's past and its present values.

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Disrespecting all of this from institutional roles means not having understood anything about our history, the Republic, and the duty one has towards it.