A group of young people were filmed chanting Fascist slogans at the Brothers of Italy (FdI) offices in Parma on 28 October, the anniversary of Mussolini’s March on Rome.

The video, showing chants such as “the Black Shirts will triumph”, went viral and triggered political condemnation. The Emilia-Romagna leadership of National Youth (GN), FdI’s youth wing, has since placed its Parma federation under administration for “political incompatibility”.

Opposition condemns the incident

Democratic Party (PD) officials in Emilia-Romagna expressed outrage, accusing the ruling party of tolerating neo-Fascist sentiment.

Regional PD secretary Luigi Tosiani said, “In Parma, people are proudly praising Fascism and the Duce inside and outside the FdI offices. We feel shame and outrage when we think of those who fought to liberate our country.”

He questioned whether Premier Giorgia Meloni would condemn the behaviour, recalling her previous praise of GN members as “Italy’s finest youth”.

PD Senator Daniela Manca called the chants “symptomatic of a culture still present in the FdI base”, adding that the party “has not reckoned with its history nor removed the Fascist flame from its symbol”.

Background and ongoing inquiry

This is not the first controversy involving National Youth. In 2024, an undercover Fanpage investigation captured GN members shouting “Duce” and “Sieg Heil”, and making racist and antisemitic remarks. Two officials resigned after the exposé.

Meloni has pledged to expel anyone nostalgic for Fascism and insists the modern Right buried that ideology decades ago. Yet she has resisted calls to remove the tricolour flame – linked to Mussolini’s tomb – from FdI’s emblem, describing such demands as “anti-historical”.

Legal and Police action

No charges have been filed so far. Parma Chief Prosecutor Alfonso D’Avino confirmed the case is a Model 45, meaning no specific crime has yet been alleged.

The DIGOS special operations unit is investigating the incident to verify the facts and determine whether criminal charges may follow.

PD leader Elly Schlein said: “It is very serious. We await a public condemnation from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.” The Prime Minister has not yet issued a statement.