League leader Matteo Salvini on Sunday ducked a question on President Sergio Mattarella'ding the police for the excessive use of the truncheon against pro-Palestinian protesters in Pisa on Friday, and again defended the police force.
Mattarella said Saturday that the authoritativeness of the State cannot be measures by batons, after speaking with Inter Minister Matteo Piantedosi on the events in Pisa.
"The President of the Republic reminded the Interior Minister, finding his agreement (on the subject), that the authoritativeness of the police forces cannot be measured by batons but by the capacity to ensure security while safeguarding, at the same time, the freedom to publicly express opinions, " said a note from the presidential Quirinale Palace.
“Truncheons express failure with young people.”
Asked to respond on Sunday, Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister and transport minister, said: "The president's words can be read but not commented on".
Then, pressed, he added: "Of course it is always better that there are no clashes.
"Policemen and Carabinieri are daily victims of physical and verbal violence.
"Even in that square. If my son went and shouted 'cop asshole'then he would have to deal with me".
Salvini said "anyone who puts his hands on a policeman or a Carabiniere is a criminal".
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