March by Mussolini supporters: Over 1000 people show fascist salute!

By Christoph Sator

Rome (Italy) - More than 1,000 supporters of former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) have shown the fascist salute at an event in Rome.

According to the police, around 1,300 people gathered in front of the former headquarters of the neo-fascist Movimento Sociale Italiano (MSI). The police announced that they would use video recordings to identify the participants.

The rally was a reminder of January 7, 1978. Back then, left-wing terrorists shot two young neo-fascists in front of the MSI headquarters in Via Acca Larentia. A third died later. Since then, commemorations have been held every year by Mussolini supporters, mostly dressed in black, which always follow the same pattern.

This year, the names of the three victims were also mentioned. The crowd responded to the call "For all fallen comrades" by shouting "Presente!" (in German: present).

The participants then raised their right arm in a fascist salute. This was repeated three times.

The gesture is known in Italy as the "saluto romano" (Roman salute) and is also banned there. Nevertheless, it is repeatedly shown at neo-fascist gatherings. Previously, there had also been isolated shouts of protest such as "Long live the resistance" in the district.

Since October 2022, Italy has been governed by a tripartite coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (47). Her party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) is a successor party to the MSI.

Meloni was a member of the MSI youth movement as a teenager. As head of government, she is now pursuing a European course.