Tajani apologises for Mussolini comments

(ANSA) - Strasbourg, March 14 - European Parliament President Antonio Tajani apologised on Thursday after causing a furore by saying that Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was not all bad. "As a convicted anti-Fascist, I apologize to all those who may have felt offended by my words, with which I did not, in any way, intend to justify or trivialize an antidemocratic, totalitarian regime," said Tajani, the president of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's opposition, centre-right Forza Italia party.
    "I am deeply sorry that, despite my personal and political background, some could think that I am indulgent with Fascism".
    In a radio interview on Wednesday, Tajani said there were positive elements to Mussolini's regime.
    "Up until he declared war on the whole world, following Hitler, and passed the racial laws (against the Jews), and aside from the dramatic event of (the murder of Socialist opponent Giacomo) Matteotti, he did positive things to create infrastructures for our country" Tajani told Radio 24. "In terms of the concrete things done, you cannot say he didn't do anything". Regional Affairs Undersecretary Stefano Buffagni of the 5-Star Movement (M5S) was among those to express outrage at the comments. "Tajani has shown his true colours," Buffagni said. "He should be ashamed of what he said about Mussolini". Initially, Tajani said that he was not the one who should be ashamed. "Shame on those who manipulate what I've allegedly said on fascism," he said via Twitter. "I've always been a convinced anti-fascist, I will not allow anyone to suggest otherwise. "The fascist dictatorship, racial laws and deaths it caused are the darkest page in Italian and European history".