Italy's League party picks a provocative candidate for European Parliament election
ROME (AP) — He was fired by the defense minister after writing a book deemed offensive to women, gays and Blacks. He is under investigation by Rome prosecutors for allegedly inciting racial hatred. He set off a firestorm over suggestions that disabled children be taught separately at school.
And on Tuesday, Gen. Roberto Vannacci, one of Italy’s most experienced army generals, joined Italy’s deputy premier and leader of the right-wing League party, Matteo Salvini, as the League’s headline candidate for upcoming European Parliament elections.
Salvini’s gamble to put the provocative Vannacci out front for the June 6-9 vote is something of a Hail Mary pass for the League, which has hemorrhaged support in recent years to the more hard-right Brothers of Italy party of Premier Giorgia Meloni.
By taking advantage of the media storm over Vannacci, Salvini is trying to breathe new life into his party, a junior partner in Meloni’s government, analysts said.
Related articles
U.S. doubles down on vaccination efforts as Delta variant drives COVID
People walk inside the Oculus center in New York, the United States, Sept. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Yin2024-05-01Radiunova claims title during ladies figure skating in Kazakhstan
Elena Radiunova of Russia competes during the ladies free skating of figure skating at the 28th Wint2024-05-01China's theme parks increase in revenue and development
The eighty theme parks received a total of 75.74 million visits last year in the Chinese mainland wi2024-05-01- Malaysia's new visa-free policy for Chinese travelers is a positive response to China's announcement2024-05-01
UN urges maximum restraint amid rising tensions between Iran, Israel
UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN General Assembly P2024-05-01China updates train ticket purchasing for foreigners
China has recently optimized its train ticket purchasing and checking services for international tra2024-05-01
atest comment