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RACISM

Italy’s far-right politicians to be ‘cured’ of racism

Politicians from the anti-immigration Northern League party have agreed to undergo therapy designed to help combat racist, xenophobic and sexist views.

Italy's far-right politicians to be 'cured' of racism
The invitation was addressed to Northern League members and specifically MP Roberto Calderoli. Photo: Vicenzo Pinto/AFP

Northern League supporters were invited to take part in the therapy sessions by the Annassim women’s association, Corriere della Sera reported on Monday.

Citing the “gravity” of some statements made by the group, Bologna-based Annassim invited the politicians to sessions with psychoanalysts, psychiatrists and other specialists, the newspaper said.

The invitation was addressed to Northern League members and specifically MP Roberto Calderoli, who earlier this year sparked outrage when he called Italy’s first black minister an orangutan

Manes Bernardini, a Northern League councillor in Bologna, said party members would be willing to take part in the therapy.

“We are so convinced by our ideas that we don’t have a problem submitting to the treatment. Two Northern League members will participate,” he said was quoted in Corriere as saying.

As an aside Bernardini did, however, suggest Annassim has “time to waste”, which he said could be better invested in courses in civil education for the Roma population and immigrants.

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