Michela Vittoria Brambilla, Italy’s newly appointed minister for tourism, has got herself in a spot of bother. She’s being accused of using a fascist style salute during one of her recent public appearances.
Ms Brambilla is denying that her spur of the moment salute was at all fascist, but others are not so sure.
Have a look at this YouTube video of Italy’s Minister for Tourism, and judge for yourselves whether Brambilla was showing her true colours. Or was it a mere wave.
Here is the video, accompanied by the ending of the Italian national anthem.
Video of Michela Vittoria Brambilla’s Alleged Fascist Salute

Stop reading, start speaking
Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.
I’ve watched the video several times, and can see how the very quick movement of her arm could have been interpreted as a salute. And to Michela Vittoria Brambilla‘s left, as you watch the video, there is a gentleman who could also have been accused of the dreaded fascist salute too. This person was Brambilla’s father according to an article in the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRJaeTi1Lxo[/youtube]
Is Brambilla a closet fascist who ‘came out’ recently, or is this all a fuss about nothing? Opinions, as always, welcome.
Right, I’m off to have a look at the press releases over on the Italian tourism ministry‘s web site. I’m going to see if there is any mention of special summer camps being organised for Italy’s youth, perhaps down in a little place called Predappio.
Source:
La Brambilla e il saluto romano il video che imbarazza il ministro – “Brambilla and the Roman Salute – the video which embarrasses the minister” – La Repubblica 17th June 2009 – article in Italian.