“Ethnic replacement conspiracy theory? I didn’t know her»- Corriere.it

Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, don’t you think you have said something enormous?
“Those who want to do it and not create chaos can listen to at least the part of my speech that concerned immigration.”

You spoke of ethnic substitution, which for many scholars is a Hitler and Mussolini myth.

«In my words there was no reference to visions far removed from my training».

He said he was wrong out of ignorance. Does a minister of his caliber really know nothing of the Kalergi plan, which finds credence in the sovereign extreme right?
“I don’t think it’s correct to call myself ignorant because until yesterday I didn’t know who Mr. Kalergi was. I have read a lot in my life, but I don’t waste time with madmen and conspiracy theorists to whom the left pays a lot of attention”.

What did he mean by that unhappy expression?

«I was talking positively about legal immigration, whose first enemy is illegal immigration. A clear concept, to say that the direction of the government is to take note of a dramatic decrease in the birth rate, which suggests a dramatic reduction of our population in the coming years”.

Italy needs immigrants, the Def that you have just launched also says so.
«My term meant to indicate an alternative. There are those who think that, if we have fewer children, the way is to have a greater number of immigrants. In our opinion, however, the first choice is to build a welfare system that creates the conditions for those who want to bring children into the world».

However, you have evoked, perhaps involuntarily, the world conspiracy theory dear to the xenophobic and neo-Nazi right-wings, to mass murderers and Holocaust deniers. Do you admit the mistake or not?
“Let’s try to understand each other. In my life I have distanced myself from those who imagine international conspiracies and other follies of this nature. And I remember some sensational examples of substitution, perpetrated by fascism in Alto Adige, by Stalin with the Russification of Ukraine or by Putin in some areas of Donbass».

The theme of the invasion of migrants and the ethnic replacement of Italians was also raised by Meloni and Salvini, but you weren’t in government then.
«If we are Italians and we think that our values ​​must be protected, we must defend them, with the birth of children lucky enough to come into the world in Italy. Without hindering integration, but without erasing our culture for the benefit of others. You can also become Italian by coming here, working, appreciating our model and swearing by the Constitution, a milestone that distinguishes Italian citizens from the rest”.

There are those who perceive racist echoes of the Ventennio in his arguments. Does the word miscegenation mean anything to you?
«Excuse me, I said in the Chamber that when one wears the national team shirt I only see the blue and not the color of the skin. Defining Italians by skin color is a mistake and anyone who doesn’t understand the difference between ethnicity and race is crazy. I respect music or ethnic dishes regardless of the skin color of those who play or cook».

Do you share Orbán’s words or not, when he tells the Hungarians «let’s not mix with other races»?

«I don’t have great confidence in Orbán and if we shared all his ideas he would be with us in the EU Conservatives group. I am against the political use of the word race and I think it is out of place in our Constitution. An attempt is being made to create chaos on the very serious issue of falling birth rates and on the attempt to maintain our model”.

For Elly Schlein she articulated “disgusting white supremacist words”.

«The last time I heard about white supremacy I was looking at i Blues Brothers, one of my favorite movies. And I wasn’t on the side of the Illinois Nazis.”

Does it play down?

“I don’t even want to comment on insults and verbal attacks. But I have given a mandate to my lawyers to sue anyone who has given me serious offenses, calling me a Hitlerian or comparing me to Nazi criminals”.

For Centinaio you used «ugly words». Does the League attack you to wear down Giorgia Meloni?
“Neither Salvini nor other prominent members of the League have said similar things”.

Mattarella in Auschwitz, on the day you spoke of ethnic replacement, said that the fascists helped the Nazis exterminate their peoples. Do you subscribe?
«I appreciated the words of the president. With Giorgia Meloni a few years ago we went to Auschwitz on April 25, a place that is an example of what human folly can produce if not stemmed by democratic values».

Did the prime minister slap you for your talkativeness?

“Having distanced ourselves from any form of racism allows us to calmly face the instrumental controversies of opponents who resort to the mud machine to cover up the mistakes made in their years of government”.

Are you going to Japan not to be in Italy on April 25th?

«No, I’m going to the G7 and it’s not an excuse. I hope to be back in time, because I really want to participate in the celebrations”.