Salvini against Rackete: the Senate denies authorization to proceed

The Senate Hall has denied the request for authorization to proceed against Matthew Salvini. The Minister of Infrastructure is accused of aggravated defamation against Carola Rackete, at the time of the events commanded by Sea Watch 3. With today’s vote, Palazzo Madama accepted the report of the Immunity Board, approved on February 28, 2023, which considers the leader’s words covered by unquestionability. The majority parties voted against the authorization. Instead, the opposition forces expressed their favour: Pd, M5s, Avs. Among the abstentions were the senators of Italia Viva.

The story dates back to June 2019, when Matteo Salvini held the position of Minister of the Interior. The secretary of the Carroccio had defined Rackete with expressions such as “braff”, “outlaw” and “criminal”. All following the rescue of 53 migrants that the then captain of the Sea Watch ship led to the Libyan area of ​​responsibility. To unleash the fury of the minister, the maneuver with which Rackete forced the ban on landing decided by Salvini.

“It is serious that the Senate has not granted the authorization to proceed against Matteo Salvini accused of having repeatedly offended Carola Rackete. As Avs we voted in favor of the authorization because we believe that what Salvini said were insults and not opinions. The unquestionability is a different thing and what happened today in the Senate risks becoming a dangerous precedent”, declared the leader of the Alliance Verdi e Sinistra Pepe De Cristoforo