Italian politician Gianni Cuperlo criticized the Meloni government’s response to recent violence in Minneapolis, asserting it has failed to distance itself from the events. Cuperlo, speaking Tuesday evening on the LA7 program “DiMartedì” hosted by Giovanni Floris, likewise defended the right to peaceful protest, stating, “Those who do so peacefully have the right to do so.”
Cuperlo further emphasized the power of public demonstration, adding, “The squares are the power for those who have no power.” His comments came during a broader discussion on the government’s performance and its handling of domestic and international issues.
The remarks follow a period of relative political consolidation for the Meloni government throughout 2024, marked by a return to traditional political maneuvering after years of anti-politics and technocratic governance, according to a recent analysis published by Taylor & Francis Online. However, the government’s coalition has been described as sui generis, characterized by limited ideological cohesion.
Cuperlo, a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and former President of the Democratic Party, has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s policies. He served as President of the Democratic Party from December 2013 to January 2014, preceding Matteo Orfini in the role. He has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since October 13, 2022, having previously held the position from June 6, 2006, to March 22, 2018.
The criticism regarding the Minneapolis events comes amidst broader scrutiny of the government’s foreign policy alignment. Maurizio Landini, the general secretary of the CGIL trade union, recently clarified his own statements regarding Meloni’s relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating in a note that he had expressed a “political opinion on the lack of role played by our government and its prime minister.” Landini had previously stated Meloni was acting as “Trump’s bag carrier” during an appearance on the same program, “DiMartedì,” and clarified that this was a political judgement.
Cuperlo also touched on the topic of satire, criticizing its use in support of power structures. “Usually satire is against power, when it is instead at its service it becomes servilism,” he stated on “DiMartedì.”