Fascists dissolve in tears tear
Fiuggi -The neo-Fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI), founded 49 years ago by followers of Benito Mussolini, voted itself out of existence yesterday in a victory for the party leader, Gianfranco Fini.
Delegates at a congress declared the MSI's work complete and said it should give way to the National Alliance, the right-wing movement Mr Fini founded one year ago.
The National Alliance charter severs links with Fascist ideology and backs democracy and the free market. The near unanimous vote was a triumph for Mr Fini's battle to establish his democratic credentials. n "We have shown ourselves to be up to the task that history has set us," a satisfied Mr Fini, 43, told the 1,600 delegates.
A dose of nostalgia remained however, with many delegates in tears as the congress ended with a large number of them singing the old Fascist anthem, "Hymn to Rome".
The National Alliance won 13.5 per cent of votes in general elections held last March. A recent poll put its support at 17.5 per cent.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies