The general’s words Roberto Vannacci on people with disabilities have triggered an avalanche of reactions. The interview given to The print from the new candidate for the European elections Matteo Salvini has received harsh condemnations, from the CEI to the world of associations, with explicit requests for intervention from government ministers. At school we need to put “people with similar performances together”, declared Vannacci. A discussion that also applies to a disabled? “I certainly wouldn’t put him to race with someone who breaks the hundred meter record. You can have them take a lesson together, though spirit of belonging, but then he needs specific help.” Separate classes, then? In the evening, and after the many reactions, the general felt the need to clarify: “Clearly the title completely distorts my words with which I strongly assert that disabled people need special attention and additional help e not that they should be separated. The election campaign has begun! ”He wrote on Facebook posting his interview. In the meantime, called into question together with the Minister of Disability, Alessandra Locatellithe Minister of Education and Merit, the Northern League member Giuseppe Valditara, he limited himself to saying that “concrete policies in favor of the inclusion of students with disabilities” had arrived from the League. And to list the interventions implemented: from the over “13 thousand support teachers hired in September” to the “other significant hires planned for the next few years”; from “an important part of the Pnrr resources for construction intended for the redevelopment of schools for the removal of architectural barriers”, to the “obligation for support teachers hired on a permanent basis to remain in the teaching position for three years”. The distinction of the Minister of Economy, the Northern League member, is of a completely different nature Giancarlo Giorgetti: “Vannacci is not from the League”. At the League headquarters in Varese to support the candidacy of Isabella Tovaglieri, Giorgetti explains that “she is a candidate daughter of this land, she feels what people think, she serves the territory”. No Vannacci, they point out. “Correct sentence and already contains the answer.” And on Vannacci’s statements he replies dryly: “I don’t agree.”
Meanwhile, the words of the Minister for the Family also arrive from the government, Eugenia Roccella, on the sidelines of the Fdl programmatic conference underway in Pescara. “As regards mixed classes, we have the same position on disabled people as on Pioltello, that is, to encourage integration it is good that there is a mix and that people are used to being with those who have differences”. As for Vannacci’s candidacy, “it belongs to the League first of all, and in any case everyone is free to run, it is essential that there are different components in each side”, reasons the minister. My government colleague, the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, explains that he does not want to judge “the candidates of another party. The League is another party. Many things see me far from Vannacci.” Also present in Pescara, she adds: “I want to say about some things that as far as I’m concerned are not acceptable, but this doesn’t mean judging the candidacy of someone who is running for another party, a party allied with us.” To those who ask her if she would define Mussolini as “a statesman” as Vannacci did, she replies that “General Vannacci makes statements, I repeat, some I can agree with, others I don’t agree with, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to me that a member of the Fratelli d’ Italy, which I am, enter into the merits of the opportunity of the candidacy”.
“While respecting every opinion and every political choice, a cultural vision of life is at stake here. These statements bring us back to darkest periods in our history. I would like to say, with Pope Francis, that inclusion is a sign of civilization.” Thus the vice-president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (DEI), Msgr. Francesco Savinoto theHandle on Vannacci’s statements. For the bishop of Cassano all’Ionio “difference is not a problem but a resource”. And again: “Separate classes reproduce ghettos. Separation into different classes for disabled siblings means that they are to be marginalized or looked down upon. And instead they have many abilities that we don’t have,” he says, recalling this year’s Via Crucis that his diocese wanted to dedicate specifically to the disabled. “They were the protagonists and I, but perhaps not only me, returned home feeling that I had lived a truly beautiful experience. When there is inclusion they know how to give the best of themselves. They give us lessons in life, in humanity, in beauty.” And he concludes: “Please, let’s be serious and let’s be responsible.” The CEI follows the indignant declarations of the Associations contacted by ilfattoquotidiano.it, who also turned to the competent ministers asking to intervene against Vannacci’s statements. “Reading that, even today, a perfect ignoramus of matter e unfortunately candidate to the European elections by the same political force that expresses i ministers of Disability, the Northern League member Locatelli, and of Education and of Valditara merit (Lega, ed.), postulates a return to such hateful and discriminatory practicestruly leaves you speechless,” he said, among others, Roberto Spezialepresident of Anffasthe National Association of Families and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
The controversy explodes among the opposition parties: PD, M5s And Italia Vivaas well as Adv And Actionthey talk about concepts “Nazis” And “delirious”. But there are those who don’t think exactly that way. “Vannacci explicitly says what many “liberals” think and sometimes say in a sugarcoated way. Lastly Galli della Loggia. Equality yes, inclusion yes, as long as it does not delay my son’s (grandson’s) educational program guaranteed by his social position”, wrote the Democratic Party MP and former Minister of Labor on social media Andrea Orlando. And so does the M5s group leader in the Senate Stefano Patuanelli on As for the majority, however Brothers of Italy the senator’s statements also arrived Antonio Guidi, much harsher than those of my colleague Santanchè. “With great firmness, I invite General Vannacci to do his job, because regarding his disability he expresses not thoughts but nightmares. We do not accept the philosophy of providing special interventions for special people, because not only does this violate the Constitution, but also science. In fact, there is no scientific data that supports this silly and racist thesis of separate classes. My ideas are the result of fifty years of experience related to disability and science, being an established neuropsychiatrist. The general states that not everyone can do the hundred metres; well, I hope to meet him to clarify and to challenge him to do the hundred meters of IQ against him: I’m sure I’ll cross the finish line much earlier than him,” said Guidi. He also raises his head Forza Italia: “To attract forced attention with effective outbursts you can achieve the result of uttering real nonsense. This seems to have happened to General Vannacci when talking about disability and diversity; instead serious topics that touch the intimate sensitivity of everyone to which respect and understanding must be dedicated. ruminations that are less of an intellectual and more of a Captain Smashes who really didn’t feel the need for them”, he declared Paolo Barellipresident of the Forza Italia deputies.
