Uproar in Rome

Pupil showed “pistol” gesture against Meloni

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

(Bild: APA/AFP/Filippo MONTEFORTE)

During his visit to the Senate on Tuesday, Schüler made it abundantly clear that he is extremely critical of Italy's right-wing government. He made a "pistol" gesture in the direction of head of government Giorgia Meloni and caused quite a stir.

The incident occurred when Meloni informed the senators about this week's EU Council meeting. A teacher immediately intervened and reprimanded the pupil. Principal Cinzia Giacomobono explained shortly afterwards that the underage pupil would face consequences. "We will take disciplinary action. You don't do things like that," said the principal.

Giacomobono added that she was aware that "there are left-wing extremist students in our school who are critical of the government", but that the gesture should be punished. "In our school, we teach respect for democracy," emphasized the principal.

Party colleague Meloni calls for the student to be punished
Meloni said she was "astonished" by the fact that "such a gesture" was made on the anniversary of the assassination of labor law reform expert Marco Biagi by the New Red Brigades in Bologna on March 19, 2002. According to the parliamentary group leader of Meloni's right-wing populist ruling party Fratelli d'Italia in the Senate, Lucio Malan, it was an unacceptable gesture. "I hope that the school authorities will take appropriate measures," said Malan.

Teenager apologizes in newspaper interview
The teenager has since apologized for the incident in an interview with the daily newspaper "La Repubblica". He promised to write Meloni a letter. At the same time, he reiterated his critical view of his country's government.