Monti tells Vannacci: “I will fight his fascist rhetoric to the very end”

Mario Monti said he would fight Roberto Vannacci’s “fascist rhetoric to the very end” during a debate at the Cernobbio Forum in Cernobbio, Italy.

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I will fight his fascist rhetoric to the very end.

Monti, a former prime minister, said investigations were under way into signs that the National Fascist Party could be reconstituted. He added that, while he did not believe the party itself was probably being recreated, he saw in Vannacci’s speeches and programme a revival of what he called the narrative and spirit of fascism.

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I do not probably see the reconstitution of the National Fascist Party, but I do see in you the reconstitution of the narrative, rhetoric and spirit of fascism.

Monti expressed particular concern about the idea that people should be satisfied by appeals to identity, including messages that “we are better” and “we will make ourselves more respected.” He said this worried him more than any individual act aimed at recreating the Fascist Party.

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The idea that the population should be satisfied by indulging its identity, 'we are better,' 'we will make ourselves more respected,' and so on, worries me much more than this or that act of reconstituting the Fascist Party.

Speaking to Vannacci at the 52nd edition of the forum on strategies for competitiveness, organized by Teha Group at Villa d’Este, Monti said he would use his “very last energies” to prevent such a development if given the opportunity.

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As old as I am, if there is a way to prevent this, I will devote my very last energies to it.