“Everyone already knew the text, Meloni couldn't ignore it. And the attack began.”
Photo: Ivan Romano / Getty Images
Various European nations have already experienced a kind of transition from liberal democracy – full democracy, that mature, one true form of democracy – to so-called authoritarian or illiberal democracy, says Antonio Scurati, author of a trilogy about Benito Mussolini, the leader of fascist Italy. – It's already happened. Poles know it, Hungarians know it, Italians know it.
Antonio Scurati, Italian writer, author of the trilogy about Benito Mussolini “M. The Last Days of Europe”, “M. Son of the Century” and “M. Man of Providence”, is public enemy number one of the Italian government and its leader – Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
He criticizes the far right. Meloni accuses connections with fascism. The Italian public television RAI, which is in the hands of the government, tried to censor an author who was hostile to the government.
Jacek Tacik: Cursed writer?
Antonio Scurati: No, I try in every possible way to do my own thing and stay outside the circle of interest of the authorities. One of the worst aspects of confrontation with those in power is the risk that you will become a hero for some and a victim or negative figure for others.
I reject both options because they do not suit my personality and the reality in which I want to function. The worst thing that can happen to a writer is to be pigeonholed – labeled… a victim, a persecuted person. People then judge you not through the prism of what you write, but through the prism of what the media from left to right write and say about you.
Giorgia Meloni may gain exceptional influenceJoanna Stempień/Fakty o Świecie TVN24 BiS
However, the truth is that I became the target of verbal abuse. Right-wing circles are trying to discredit me. At the same time, they do not argue with the ideas I speak and write about. The result is that I had problems with personal safety.
Populists – all over Europe – pursue a policy of fear. I promised myself that I would not be intimidated.
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