Giorgia Meloni denounces ‘antifascist patent’ required at Rome publishing fair

The small‑ and medium‑size publishing fair “Più libri più liberi” in Rome announced that participating publishers must sign a declaration affirming the antifascist values of the Italian Constitution. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the requirement a “patentino antifascista” and labeled it “censura”, writing on X that “the cancellation of ideas not of the left, camouflaged as antifascism, is an old left‑wing vice – simply censorship.”

Opposition figures, including Democratic leader Elly Schlein and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, criticised the measure as an affront to the Constitution’s antifascist foundation. Schlein asked, “Is it normal that the prime minister stayed silent when a neo‑fascist leader threatened the Parliament, yet now attacks antifascism?” Nordio described the requirement as “grotesque” and warned against ideologically‑driven certifications.

The debate has broadened to a wider political clash over freedom of expression versus the fight against fascist ideology, with academics and cultural leaders also weighing in on whether such a “patent” is compatible with democratic principles.