«Personally, for example, on civil rights. If we talk about abortion, end of life or LGBTQ rights, I feel more in tune with the common sense left. Because everyone must be free to choose. Here too, you see, we return to the basic question, the one on which I don’t think we can retreat an inch: the question of freedom.” The words of Marina Berlusconi, in an exclusive interview with Courier, sound like a distinction compared to the government led by Giorgia Meloni, in which Forza Italia is one of the three pillars. And the outburst of the Knight’s daughter triggered a long series of reactions, from right to left.
«No, no, I haven’t read Marina Berlusconi», FdI group leader Foti responds in Transatlantico to anyone who asks him for a comment. “I totally agree with what Foti said”, echoes minister Lollobrigida jokingly. Meaning what? «Which he hadn’t read». The comment from Andrea Crippa, number two of the League, was more forceful: «With regards to civil rights, everyone can do what they want, I don’t judge a person based on their sexual orientations. But the family is made up of a man and a woman.”
Not even Meloni replies to Marina Berlusconi if not for that passage in which, in the Chamber, by getting heated against the opposition, he seems to send a message: «Propaganda on abortion and LGBT rights because you are running out of arguments. We have not intervened on these regulations. There are no new laws that we have brought forward.” Alessandra Maiorino, number two of the M5s in the Senate, replied later: «Marina Berlusconi launched a torpedo on Giorgia Meloni by challenging her on the issue of rights and thundered: «If it isn’t a motion of no confidence in the government…».
A true Northern League member, such as the governor of Veneto Luca Zaia, thinks differently: “Marina Berlusconi made a good point. On ethical issues, a liberal shift is needed. Many of our voters think so.”
From Antonio Tajani, successor of the Knight at the helm of Forza Italia, a clear consensus arrives: «On rights, our party has always given freedom of conscience to everyone, we have always been free…».
And appreciation for the statements of the president of Fininvest they also come from the “enemy” side of the center-left: «Marina Berlusconi’s words are positive and I hope that they will contribute to the Italian right taking a more advanced position on the subject of civil rights», declares the leader of the Green and Left Alliance Angelo Bonelli.
