Meloni criticises Vannacci AI video 'condemning' opposition leaders to death

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday criticised a AI-generated video posted on social media by Roberto Vannacci, the leader of the new far-right National Future (FN) party, in which the general-turned-politician condemns the leaders of the main opposition parties to death at an ancient Roman arena. But the premier also called on opposition to do the same when the shoe is on the other foot, apparently alluding to Bologna's centre-left Mayor Matteo Lepore and Monday's rioting in the city following the death of a Moroccan man while he was being restrained by police. Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party and Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini's League party have said Lepore should resign as he bears part of the responsibility for the violence after he organized a demonstration calling for the truth about the man's death. While that demonstration passed off peacefully, protests in other parts of the city turned extremely violent, with dozens of police officers injured and massive damage caused. "That video does not reflect who I am, nor my approach to political debate," said Meloni, who is shown sitting next to Vannacci in the video. "I have always believed that politics should be a contest of ideas, public support, and citizens' votes - never intimidation, hatred, or the violent portrayal of one's opponent. "I expect the same firmness when prominent institutional representatives of the Left choose to fuel a climate of confrontation, while matters are still being examined by the judiciary, and this ends up undermining the legitimacy of law enforcement and providing an excuse for those who want to turn public squares into arenas of violence." (ANSA).