An previous photograph of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure sporting a Nazi armband raises controversy in Italy – Muricas News

Galeazzo Bignami, just lately appointed Deputy Minister of Infrastructure by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been embroiled in controversy over the publication of an previous photograph of him sporting a Nazi armband.

Within the photograph in query, Bignami — a member of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy get together — could be seen sporting a black shirt, an emblem of Italian fascism, and a pink armband with a swastika, additionally an emblem of Nazi Germany.

In accordance with data revealed this Tuesday by the Italian press, the photograph of Bignami, 47, would have been taken in 2005 throughout a bachelor get together and had been circulating since 2016.

Meloni appointed Bignami on Monday as deputy minister and secretary of state for the infrastructure ministry, led by far-right Matteo Salvini.

Nonetheless, this controversy might jeopardize Bignami’s ultimate appointment, because the swearing-in of the Secretaries of State is scheduled for Wednesday.

On Monday Bignami acknowledged feeling embarrassed by the picture in query, though he criticized and known as the publication of a non-public photograph virtually 20 years later and for which, he says, he had beforehand apologized, absurd.

A number of public figures in Italian politics, such because the mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris, have reacted to the controversy by calling on Prime Minister Meloni to again down on Bignami’s appointment as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure.