“Despicable.” Then he flips the photo… – Time

Here are the “champions” of democracy… The actor Michele Riondino published on Facebook an old upside-down photo of the president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, portrayed next to an image of Benito Mussolini. The post is from April 25th. «The really funny thing – writes Riondino – is that there was a time when fascists were more authentic, more bold, they were lions, even if only for a day. They claimed their identity without fear of being accused of being traitors and murderers of their homeland. Today, however, they are afraid to define themselves, to claim their faith. They betray their identity by swearing on the anti-fascist constitution and then by sitting on the armchair they become champions of the supercazzola, a black belt in climbing on mirrors. I say this sincerely. There are no longer the fascists of the past. Only sheep. This is what yesterday’s fascists who have become today’s rulers are. Better a life as a sheep than a day as a lion. Long live the resistance.”

An exit that provoked a firm reaction from the majority, in the deafening silence of the left. «I address to the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, the expressions of my deepest solidarity for the photo published on Facebook which portrays him upside down. I strongly condemn this initiative which is harmful to the institutions”, declares the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana.

«A shameful post published by the actor Michele Riondino on Facebook once morest the president of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa. Insulting phrases and images, all the more unacceptable as they are directed once morest the second-largest position in the State, imbued with a violence that is fuel for fueling a vulgar and dangerous hatred. Apparently, the protagonist of said disgusting performance on social media would have been chosen as artistic director of the May 1st festival in Taranto. It is true that there are people like Riondino who are willing to do anything to advertise their own film, but it seems natural and due to revoke the aforementioned role from a character whose demerits are only known”, declares Tommaso Foti, group leader of Brothers of Italy in the Chamber. «I don’t know who Michele Riondino is, but I know that he is a despicable person – declares the president of the FI senators Maurizio Gasparri – I stand in solidarity with the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, victim of this man’s delirium. Yet another poor man who sows hatred like many members of the left who, with lies and insults, are poisoning the climate of the country. From the lies regarding the reconstructions of the RAI events, to the centre-right senators being preceded by the question ‘but are you Jewish?’, to Riondino. There is a common thread that unites this delirium. As well as the attacks on the Jewish Brigade. Communist and anti-Semitic delirium is prevailing. These are people who are causing serious damage to Italy.”

«Solidarity with the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, for the shameful sentences and images depicting him upside down, posted on the social page by the actor Michele Riondino. An attack on the institutions that we firmly condemn. Hoping that all political forces will do the same.” is the message of the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida. «I express sincere and strong solidarity with the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, who has been addressed with unworthy words by those who demonstrate that they are not up to the level of civil life in our nation», states the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano , regarding the post by the actor Michele Riondino.

After the controversy, the actor and director, also known for playing «The Young Montalbano», published the same photo, but in the correct direction: «Ok ok I caught your attention, now I’ll turn the photo over and let’s see if his original position causes the same scandal.”