La Russa's off-the-record comment in the Senate: "What's that idiot's name?" La Vardera: «Shameful»

A hot mic moment from the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, recorded during the session on March 5 at Palazzo Madama, ignites political controversy. During the debate on the request for support from Gulf countries affected by Iranian reprisals, La Russa, at the Presidential desk, addresses his collaborators and asks: “What’s the name of that idiot who keeps shouting?” The response identifies Democratic Party Senator Antonio Nicita. Shortly after, addressing Nicita in the Chamber, the president adds: “We appreciated your speech”. Then, following a probable thank you, he continues with “You’re welcome” and “Very kind, indeed”.

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After the dissemination of the images, Nicita intervenes with a statement: “I learned that President La Russa last Thursday addressed the Secretary General, off the record in the Chamber but not to the TV, referring to me with a vulgar term. This is a very serious matter that highlights a total lack of institutional respect and inadequacy for the role – says Nicita, Vice President of the Pd group –. So serious that the regulations do not provide for cases of protection for parliamentarians against direct insults to members of Parliament.”

Furthermore: “The fact that the microphone was off is an aggravating factor, not only because I could not defend myself at that moment, but also because it highlights rather the habit of using language inappropriate for the role and the institution. My solidarity goes to the Secretary General for being forced to share that language. The issue is not, in fact, personal apologies, which I do not ask for. Because in this institution I have been offended as a senator and the offense concerned the entire Senate, what each of us represents and what the President of the institution himself represents. Or at least should represent. Protection can therefore only be requested outside the Chamber.”

He concludes with a question: “What example do we give to the school groups that come to the Senate to witness our work? Perhaps the idea that power grants those who exercise it the bullying and impunity to offend others' dignity? How can democratic institutions remain credible if such serious events occur in the Chamber by the president?”

On the matter, Sergio Lima, organizational head of the Democratic Party of Sicily and member of the national Dem leadership, also intervenes: “The vulgar insult made even more serious as it was uttered by the presidential staff, who should represent the second highest office of the State, and directed at our senator Antonio Nicita is more than indefensible. It is an obscene act because, in addition to insulting Nicita, to whom the Sicilian Pd confirms esteem and extends total solidarity, it offends the entire Senate, Parliament, and democracy itself. President La Russa, we too appreciated your intervention which reveals, once again, the true nature of this right intolerant of criticism, violent and aggressive in language and unaccustomed to democratic debate.”

The position taken by Ismaele La Vardera, Sicilian regional deputy and leader of Controcorrente, is also strong: “A shameful comment from the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, who should know that these words can only be used at home. I stand with Nicita and the entire Senate, because the president has disrespected the entire institution. I am not surprised that the center-right has arrogant attitudes and that sense of impunity, especially when one of its major representatives makes statements like this. Once again, a Sicilian embarrassing the entire Island. La Russa should be ashamed.”

President La Russa then tried to reach Senator Nicita without finding him and spoke with Democratic group leader Francesco Boccia, waiting to speak directly with the senator. This was explained by Emiliano Arrigo, the spokesperson for the President of the Senate, while talking to reporters, clarifying that La Russa has offered his apologies and expressed regret.

He does not recall the specific element - Arrigo continues - nor whether the epithets were directed at Nicita. In any case, he apologizes if his words were interpreted that way.

The spokesperson goes on to emphasize that the phrase spoken by the president was a muttering directed at himself picked up by a microphone. There has always been an excellent relationship with Nicita, a Sicilian senator with whom he also has mutual friends, he concludes.