Italy evicts Bannon-backed rightwing “boot camp” from monastery

Italy's culture ministry said it had evicted a would-be "gladiator school" for right-wing populists from a 13th-century Italian monastery, in a blow to former Trump advisor Steve Bannon.

Published: 11 October 2019 09:35 CEST

Italy evicts Bannon-backed rightwing “boot camp” from monastery

The Certosa di Trisulti monastery on the slopes of Mount Rotonari. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

Students from across the globe had been readying to learn how to “defend the West” at the far-right political boot camp run by the Dignitatis Humanae Institute (DHI) and funded by Bannon, ex-chief strategist for US President Donald Trump.

FOCUS: Trouble at Italy's 'Gladiator school' for far-right

The ministry said on Thursday that the DHI had falsely claimed to have the necessary requisites to take part in a tender to lease the monastery.

The institute had been given use of the site for 19 years in February 2018, but the ministry began proceedings to oust it earlier this year after allegations of misconduct.

Benjamin Harnwell, a close associate of Bannon, had been preparing to renovate parts of the former monastery, with its frescoed ceilings, Baroque chapel, library, and 18th-century pharmacy.

Benjamin Harnwell, Director of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute poses at the Trisulti Monastery in May 2019. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

He had hoped to offer a small number of students the first three-week course later this year, and had been in the process of getting planning permission to put bathrooms in the monk cells, redo the sewer system and install Internet access.

Bannon, who since being ousted from the White House spends his days espousing right-wing populism in Europe, had pledged $1 million to the project.

Member comments

Anonymous - 12 October 2019 at 13:45 CEST

I have considerable sympathy with the idea of upholding and even promoting the ideas of a Judaeo-Christian ethic. After all, the two religions have been the basis of the western world’s ethic for centuries and has led, in general, to much good.

I do not know what is really going on with the group in question in this article and whether the word ‘populist’ is yet again being misapplied but I do think that our so called western society and Christendom in general in the west needs support in respect to the forces which are opposed to it. From this basic ethic grew, in due course, justice and democracy which have underpinned all ‘western’ nations. To lose these and other benefits because of apathy or misplaced understanding would be disastrous. Whether Trisulti is the way to do forward is debteable. I probably would question aspects of its thinking but it should be considered and debated not assumed to be a ‘boot camp for the far right’ without a full understanding of its workings.

And in the end if citizens of nations in the western world wish to preserve the qualities of life their Judaeo-Christian based societies have engendered, then someone has to stand up and say so.
Anonymous - 12 October 2019 at 13:48 CEST

CORRECTION TO COMMENT ABOVE:

Whether Trisulti is the way to do forward is debteable – should read as: Whether Trisulti is the way forward is debateable.
Anonymous - 12 October 2019 at 16:38 CEST

F Hugh Eveleigh, you are sadly misinformed if you think that anything Steve Bannon is involved in has something to do with a Judeo-Christian ethic. Really, are you kidding?

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The strike comes after Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama — who is close to Meloni — called a top RAI editor to complain about a television report into Italy’s controversial migration deal with his country.

The Usigrai trade union called the strike from May 6 to May 7 saying talks with management had failed to address their concerns.

It cited numerous issues, including staff shortages and contract issues, but in first place was “the suffocating control over journalistic work, with the attempt to reduce RAI to a megaphone for the government”.

It had already used that phrase to object to what critics say is the increasing influence over RAI by figures close to Prime Minister Meloni, who leads Italy’s most right-wing government since World War II.

However, another union of RAI journalists, Unirai, said they would not join what they called a “political” strike, defending the return to “pluralism” at the broadcaster.

Funded in part by a licence fee and with top managers long chosen by politicians, RAI’s independence has always been an issue of debate.

But the arrival in power of Meloni — leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, who formed a coalition with Matteo Salvini’s far-right League party and the late Silvio Berlusconi’s right-wing Forza Italia — redoubled concerns.

Tensions erupted at the weekend amid accusations RAI censored a speech by a leading writer criticising Meloni ahead of Liberation Day on April 25, when Italians mark the defeat of Fascism and the Nazis at the end of World War II.

Both RAI’s management and Meloni have denied censorship, and the premier posted the text of the monologue on her social media.

In another twist, Albania’s premier confirmed Thursday he called senior RAI editor Paolo Corsini about an TV report on Sunday into Italy’s plans to build two migration processing centres on Albanian territory.

Rama told La Stampa newspaper the report was “biased” and contained “lies” – adding that he had not raised the issue with Meloni.

The Report programme claimed the costs of migrant centres, which are under construction, were already “out of control” and raised questions about criminals benefiting from the project.