- Opponents criticize Libero Quotidiano for naming Italian Prime Minister ‘Person of the Year’
- Meloni says in newspaper editorial that he has won the ‘war between the sexes’
- This article was written by her former communications director, Mario Ceci.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister, has been named “Man of the Year” by a far-right newspaper, sparking a backlash from her political opponents.
Ms Meloni, 46, was awarded the honor by the daily Libero Quotidiano for winning the “war between the sexes” in Italy, with the paper saying she had “just broken the glass ceiling”. “We have resolved this,” he added.
It said she had “passed the 2023 test” alongside a photo of the prime minister, a high-profile ally of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, wearing a double-breasted white blazer with her arms folded behind her back. It was written.
The article, described by one female opponent as a “capitulation” to the idea that politics is only for men, was published by Libero’s Rome bureau chief, who until September headed Meloni’s communications team. Written by Mario Ceci.
He writes: “In our weak-minded society, we have recognized strong ideas. In excessive diversity, the genders have been reversed. In times of war, we have learned how to fight. We chose people who showed that they are.”
Mr. Seti’s editorial praised Mr. Meloni for having “won the war between the sexes… by thinking differently, being diverse, and overcoming the arrogance of men and the defeatism of women.”
But political opponents, especially women, have called on her to distance herself from the award.
In remarks reported by the Telegraph, Ellie Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said: “Today right-wing newspapers are telling us that politics and power belong to men.”
“Today, right-wing newspapers are telling us that politics and power belong to men,” said Ellie Schlein, secretary of the center-left Democratic Party.
“I don’t think my goal as a politician is to be Man of the Year. Rather, I think this is a surrender.”
Elisabetta Piccolotti, a lawmaker from the Alianza Verdi e Sinistra (Green Party and Left Alliance), said the cover was an “affirmation of male supremacy”.
She urged Mr Meloni to refuse, adding on Facebook: “At this point, Prime Minister, are you a woman, a man or non-binary?”
Some people posted memes on social media making fun of a female prime minister being named “Man of the Year”.
But Libero’s former assistant coach Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s Minister of Culture, told reporters that the title was well-deserved.
Meloni, who became prime minister in October 2022, is a member of Fratelli d’Italia (Italian Brothers), a right-wing populist party that opposes euthanasia, abortion, and same-sex marriage, while promoting traditional family values and crackdowns on immigration. ”.
She has become a key international ally of Rishi Sunak as he pushes the Conservative Party further to the right under his leadership, calling for tougher measures on migrants in Europe.
The pair met in Rome earlier this month and were seen exchanging a warm hug and kiss on the cheek before Mr Sunak spoke at a rally for Italy’s conservative and right-wing groups on immigration.
He told the meeting that criminal gangs are brandishing migrants as “weapons to destabilize society” as the fight continues to pass Rwanda’s bill to send asylum seekers arriving in the UK to the African country. He said he was there.
Meloni did not comment on the Libero Quotidiano article.