Ceremony held at the Chamber of Deputies for the centenary of the death of Giacomo Matteotti: President Meloni’s statement

On 30 May 1924, Giacomo Matteotti delivered his last speech to the Chamber of Deputies, which went on to cost him his life. During that speech, Matteotti defended political freedom, expressed through parliamentary representation and free elections.

We are here today to commemorate a free and courageous man, killed by Fascist squad members because of his ideas. 100 years on from that speech, honouring his memory is of vital importance to remind us, every day, how valuable freedom of speech and thought is against those who would go so far as to claim the right to determine what we can and cannot say and think.

Today more than ever, Matteotti’s lesson serves to remind us that respect for others, dialogue and freedom are the cornerstones of our democracy, not violence, oppression, intolerance and hate towards political opponents.

[Courtesy translation]