A controversy has arisen in Italy over the decision to feature the founder of AS Roma football club on a postage stamp, given his Fascist past.
The stamp released on Thursday showcases Italo Foschi, a Fascist militia leader accused of persecuting Jewish individuals.
Debate surrounding Fascism in Italy, a topic many Italians view ambivalently, has resurfaced following the election of Giorgia Meloni as the country’s first far-right prime minister in 2022.
The timing of honoring Roma’s founding president alongside another stamp commemorating a Socialist MP murdered by Fascist hitmen, one of whom was praised by Foschi, has caused confusion.
An undersecretary in Italy’s industry ministry, who is a member of the far-right Brothers of Italy party led by Meloni, reportedly suggested commemorating Foschi, sparking disbelief among the opposition.
Opposition MPs criticized the decision, condemning Foschi’s brutal crimes against political opponents and persecution of Jews as offensive and shameful.
Italian newspapers highlighted the irony of honoring Matteotti, a Socialist MP assassinated by Fascists, with the release of the Foschi stamp.
Foschi’s involvement in violent actions against Mussolini’s opponents and his role in the persecution of Jewish individuals raise concerns about his selection to appear on a stamp.
– ‘Not anti-Fascist’ –
Roma organized the “Italo Foschi Trophy” to mark Foschi’s 140th birth anniversary, although the club’s website does not mention his political past.
Meloni, who praised Matteotti for his courage, has faced scrutiny for her past remarks in support of Mussolini and her party’s origins in post-Fascism.
As Meloni navigates the delicate balance of broadening her party’s appeal while retaining credibility, observers question her stance on Fascism.
A professor of political science highlighted Meloni’s challenge to establish a democracy that is neither Fascist nor anti-Fascist.
gab/ams/ide/bc
