Vannacci rejects femicide as distinct crime, says 'it's a murder like any other', sparking political storm at Futuro Nazionale assembly
Roberto Vannacci, leader of the newly formed Futuro Nazionale party, ignited controversy at its constituent assembly in Rome by declaring that 'femicide doesn't exist' and is simply a murder like any other, drawing sharp condemnation from opposition politicians and the father of a victim.
Vannacci's speech
Addressing the closing day of Futuro Nazionale's constituent assembly at Rome's Auditorium della Conciliazione, Roberto Vannacci restated his long-held rejection of femicide as a distinct legal category. "Femicide is a murder like any other, men and women are equal, there is no need to protect anyone against others, so everyone must be subject to the same rules," he said. "A crime is not more or less serious based on the sex, skin colour or religion of the perpetrator or the victim: that is true equality."
The former general and MEP, elected with the League, then attacked gender quotas in the workplace. "A job position is earned on merit, not on what one has under their underwear, that's equality. Why don't we have gender quotas for blacksmiths or masons but we have them for politicians or executives? Just as violence against women exists, violence against the elderly exists, and there's no 'eldericide'. I am against femicide, it's a murder like any other." On stage he added that the femicide law is "an absurdity, it serves to brainwash the citizenry."
Reaction from politics
Opposition figures immediately denounced the remarks. Cecilia D'Elia, senator of the Democratic Party, said Vannacci's words amount to "patriarchal denialism" and that he "is imbued with the culture we must change." Giulia Bongiorno, a Forza Italia senator, commented: "Perhaps he wants to go back to honour killing." The controversy dominated the closing hours of the assembly, with reporters quizzing Vannacci repeatedly on the issue.
A father's response
Flamur Sula, whose 22-year-old daughter Ilaria was killed by her ex-boyfriend in Rome last year and found in a suitcase, reacted after Vannacci's statements. "Our daughter was taken from us without a reason. Femicide and murder are two very different things. Laws must be severe for those who harm women. Only those who go through it can understand what it means, it's too easy to talk for others," he said.
Broader platform and election challenge
Beyond the gender controversy, Vannacci outlined his party's programme: a law-and-order drive with "zero tolerance" for crime, a promise of "remigration" of irregular immigrants, and a foreign policy defined by Italian national interests. He said Italy should remain in the EU but reject directives that make it subservient, and stay in NATO but adopt a "Turkish-style" posture. Vannacci also issued an direct challenge to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "We are ready to vote even tomorrow. The Prime Minister decides the date, Futuro Nazionale is already in the trenches." The party claims 100,000 members.
