Celebini to his rivals: put me on trial, we'll see you

The far-right leader in Italy, preparing for important regional elections, implored the Senate to support the removal of his immunity so he could face charges of "kidnapping" immigrants. "All of Italy will judge," the former interior minister said. The center-left government fears that removing its immunity will give it an election victory

Celebini to his rivals: put me on trial, we'll see you

Italy's right-wing leader Matteo Selbini has challenged senators to remove his immunity to arrest him for kidnapping, due to his decision to keep immigrants aboard an aid ship for several days last year, while he was still the interior minister. The Senate Committee on Parliamentary Immunity will convene later today to make a decision, but the immunity of a "League" party leader will not be removed anyway until the entire Senate votes on the question in February.

The parties that make up the center-left government in Italy are worried that Celebini will take advantage of his immunity to rally votes ahead of the region's Reggio-Emilia regional elections. The government in Rome tried unsuccessfully last week to delay voting until after the regional elections. If the Democratic Left Party, the party member, loses in the Reggio Emilia election, Celebini is likely to resume his calls for the general election.

Slavini said that during his post of Secretary of the Interior, he worked to maintain Italy's borders. The case concerns his refusal last July to allow the Gregorian Coast Guard ship, with 131 migrants rescued from the sea, to dock on the coast of Sicily for six days. Prosecutors on the island questioned him on suspicion of kidnapping, and then decided to close the case. However, another judicial body, the ministerial tribunal, which has jurisdiction in handling criminal suspicions against government officials, wants to continue the investigation.

He urged members of the Senate committee yesterday to vote on the removal of his immunity, so that, he said, "All of Italy" could judge his actions through a trial.

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Celebini at an election rally in Maranello, Saturday (Photo: AP)

Matteo Slavini, Northern League Party leader in campaign for upcoming local elections in Maranello, Italy, January 18, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Celebini has plowed dozens of cities in the district in recent weeks, with a stubborn effort to replace left-wing rule in the district, which lasted for nearly 75 years. He made his party the strongest political force in Italy, but in a rare political mistake he did in August, he resigned from the coalition with the five-star populist movement in hopes of overthrowing the government and running for new elections. Instead, the Democratic Party government entered, and was pushed to the opposition benches.

Concerned about the rise of the country's far-right, a popular protest movement, the "Sardines," was formed, and yesterday between 35,000 and 40,000 people gathered at a rally held in Bologna, the city founded by four members in November and given its name by gathering roundabouts in the province and beyond. She makes it clear that she has no political intentions, but a desire to advance through the land and to fight growing populism.

"Celebini Fort for people's fears he is trying to direct us against the newcomers, against strangers, we must not let him win," said Christina Camorny, 60, who waved a toy fish over her head. "It would be a big shock if we lose here."

Half of Italians: Want a "messianic" leader who is inconsiderate of parliament

Rally of the "Sardines" in Rome, last month (Photo: Reuters)

Demonstration of the sardines against the extreme right in Rome, Italy - December 14, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Slavini said that if he won the left stronghold this Sunday, the current coalition would have no ment and would have to resign. "On January 27, with the victory of my pocket, I will issue Conte an eviction order," Salbini told thousands of his supporters at a rally held Saturday in the town of Maranello, the home of Ferrari. He wore a hat for the company, one of the country's most prominent symbols.

The province is one of the richest in Italy, with its unemployment rate only 5% - about half the national average. Yet, despite economic success, Celebini is taking advantage of the high security, immigration and tax concerns.