by InTrieste
Roberto Dipiazza, the mayor of Trieste, is facing national criticism after posting a doctored image of Elly Schlein, leader of Italy’s Democratic Party, portraying her as the Befana, a folkloric witch associated with the Epiphany holiday. The image was shared on Facebook on Jan. 6 with the caption, “Best wishes, Befana.”
Opposition politicians and women’s groups described the post as sexist and demeaning. The reaction was intensified by remarks Mr. Dipiazza made less than three weeks earlier during a city council session, when he told a female councilor, “I have never taken orders from a woman.”
Mr. Dipiazza defended the post as part of ordinary political debate, saying he and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had both been targets of personal attacks.
Leaders of the Democratic Party, including parliamentary group heads and the party’s European Parliament delegation, called for a formal apology and urged Prime Minister Meloni to distance herself from the mayor’s remarks.
The episode has drawn widespread attention in national media and on social platforms, adding to broader concerns in Italy over the tone of political discourse and the treatment of women in public life.
