Bologna school protest targets Education Minister Valditara

On the first day of the school year in Bologna, a mannequin representing Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara was hung from a window at Liceo Minghetti. The protest was organized by the student opposition collective Osa, who accompanied the act with a sign labeling Meloni and Valditara as “nemici degli studenti” (enemies of students) and calling for the rejection of war, racism, and imperialism.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political figures. Edmondo Cirielli of Fratelli d'Italia described the act as “profondamente diseducativo” (deeply uneducational), arguing that political opponents should be engaged through ideas rather than images evoking violence. Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni also condemned the gesture as “vergognoso” (shameful) and “inaccettabile” (unacceptable), stating it offends the school as an institution meant to teach respect for differing ideas.