Berlusconi 'praises' Mussolino at Milan Holocaust memorial service

Berlusconi praises Mussolini’s role
Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:33PM GMT

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has lauded the role of the country’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and his alliance with dictator of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler during the World War II.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Sunday ceremony in Milan, Berlusconi pointed to Mussolini's support for Hitler, noting, “Certainly the (Italian) government then, fearing that German power would turn into a general victory, preferred to be allied with Hitler's Germany rather than oppose it.”

“Within this alliance came the imposition of the fight against, and extermination of, the Jews. Thus, the racial laws are the worst fault of Mussolini, who, in so many other aspects, did good,” he added.

Berlusconi’s remarks have sparked outrage among political activists within Italy and abroad, with activists calling for his prosecution over promoting fascism.

A candidate for local elections, Gianfranco Mascia, promised that he and his supporters will lodge a complaint on Monday to have Berlusconi prosecuted.

However, Berlusconi issued a statement hours later, saying he "regretted" that he did not make it clear that his historical analyses “are always based on condemnation of dictatorships.”

The former Italian prime minister argued that the political left seeks to exploit his remarks as a tool in their election campaign.

The allies of Berlusconi's former government included political supporters of neo-fascist movements who admire Mussolini.

In a 2010 summit in Paris, Berlusconi told world leaders that he had been reading Mussolini's journals. Years earlier he had also claimed that Mussolini “never killed anyone.”

Berlusconi is running for February 24-25 parliamentary elections, but he has made contradictory comments about his decision to seek a fourth term as premier.

Lamplighter wrote:

Berlusconi praises Mussolini’s role
Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:33PM GMT

Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has lauded the role of the country’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and his alliance with dictator of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler during the World War II.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Sunday ceremony in Milan, Berlusconi pointed to Mussolini's support for Hitler, noting, “Certainly the (Italian) government then, fearing that German power would turn into a general victory, preferred to be allied with Hitler's Germany rather than oppose it.”

“Within this alliance came the imposition of the fight against, and extermination of, the Jews. Thus, the racial laws are the worst fault of Mussolini, who, in so many other aspects, did good,” he added.

Berlusconi’s remarks have sparked outrage among political activists within Italy and abroad, with activists calling for his prosecution over promoting fascism.

A candidate for local elections, Gianfranco Mascia, promised that he and his supporters will lodge a complaint on Monday to have Berlusconi prosecuted.

However, Berlusconi issued a statement hours later, saying he "regretted" that he did not make it clear that his historical analyses “are always based on condemnation of dictatorships.”

The former Italian prime minister argued that the political left seeks to exploit his remarks as a tool in their election campaign.

The allies of Berlusconi's former government included political supporters of neo-fascist movements who admire Mussolini.

In a 2010 summit in Paris, Berlusconi told world leaders that he had been reading Mussolini's journals. Years earlier he had also claimed that Mussolini “never killed anyone.”

Berlusconi is running for February 24-25 parliamentary elections, but he has made contradictory comments about his decision to seek a fourth term as premier.

So, fascism is dead? I think not, when a leading Italian politician can openly admire a dictator like the late and very unlamented Il Duce. LL