Mussolini-themed ads against Meloni spark political row in Italy
Mussolini-themed advertisements linking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the fascist leader have ignited a political controversy in Italy. The ads, which mimic 1930s propaganda, were removed due to concerns over their impact on the railway's reputation. The campaign is part of a fundraising effort by the opposition party Italia Viva, which has gained attention through social media engagement.
- ▪Advertisements in train stations linked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Benito Mussolini.
- ▪The ads were removed after being deemed detrimental to the railway's reputation.
- ▪Italia Viva's campaign aims to persuade taxpayers to support the party with a portion of their income tax.
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Mussolini-themed ads against Meloni spark political row in ItalySign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 22, 2026, 09:35 PMUpdated May 22, 2026, 09:35 PMROME, May 22 - Huge advertisements posted in Italian train stations linking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with fascist leader Benito Mussolini have stoked social media interest in a small rival party that accused her of censoring the campaign.The ads, whose lettering is in the style of 1930s fascist propaganda, bear the phrase "When she was around ...", an expression that Mussolini admirers often use to say things worked better under him, such as the running of the trains."When she was around, trains arrived late," read one of the ads displayed in Rome and Milan's main stations, which was removed after the…
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