Belgian unions held a protest this Saturday against Ignazio La Russa, president of the Italian Senate and member of the governing party Brothers of Italy, while he was speaking at the commemorative event for the tragedy of the coal mine of Bois du Cazier in Marcinelle (Belgium), where on August 8, 1956, a devastating fire claimed the lives of 262 miners, mostly Italian migrant workers.
What was intended as a ceremony of remembrance and unity ended up becoming a demonstration of rejection by members of the General Federation of Belgian Labor. Its regional secretary in Charleroi-South Hainaut, Vincent Pestieau, emphasized that the gesture of turning their backs on La Russa was an action directed against "the presence of fascist parties, and for us, here in Belgium, Brothers of Italy is a far-right party."
Pestieau also pointed out that the protest was not aimed at the president of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who was also participating in the tribute.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly condemned what happened and has pointed to representatives of the country's main trade union confederation, the Italian General Confederation of Labor (CGIL), whom she accuses of having joined the act of repudiation.
"Turning your back during the commemoration of Marcinelle is a serious and shameful gesture. A political protest transformed into a gesture of contempt towards the State Institutions, precisely at the moment when Italy pays tribute to 262 victims and the sacrifice of so many of our fellow citizens," Meloni stated.
For his part, the general secretary of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini, has categorically denied the involvement of his members in the protest. "They are inventing a story out of nothing, pure lies," he declared in words reported by 'La Repubblica'. "Our delegation, which was numerous and sitting right behind the front rows, didn't even turn around," he added.