Ilaria Salis, the EU Commission is ready to launch infringement procedures against Hungary. PD flash-mob, Schlein: “Chains not worthy of Europe”

The European Commission is ready to intervene in the case of Ilaria Salis and her conditions of detention. “We will not hesitate to launch an infringement procedure in the event of a violation of EU law”, says the Commissioner for Financial Services, Mairead McGuinnes, during a debate in the Chamber which inevitably turns into an impeachment for the governments of Hungary and Italy, the former criticized for chains and leashes placed on prisoners, the latter for a reaction deemed insufficient. The commissioner recalls that in her case it is not a question of a targeted declaration, but of general rules of principle. There are rules valid for everyone, and when it is believed that they are not respected, action is taken. Ilaria Salis's case is just one of the cases that deserves the attention of the Commission's case that McGuinness promises, even if for some it is “the” case.

It is for the Democratic Party, first and foremost. It was the Italian delegation of the socialist group that wanted a debate in the Chamber, and the Democratic Party, with its secretary Elly Schlein, organized a flash mob in front of the chamber shortly before the debate. «The chains are not worthy of Europe» and «let's bring Ilaria Salis home», the writings on the posters displayed. Criticisms of Viktor Orban's Hungary and Giorgia Meloni's Italy. Which go beyond the slogans displayed. “I don't know if the Democratic Party is better but I know that for months, even with parliamentary documents, it has been asking the government to intervene on Ilaria Salis, who is detained in inhumane conditions in Hungary”, criticizes Schlein. «The government only woke up when the whole world saw the chains and leashes. It is difficult not to think that behind this months-long silence there is embarrassment over Meloni's friendship with Orban, to whom Meloni opens his arms to welcome him into his political family.” A reference to the tests of alliances in view of the formation of the next parliament, after the elections at the beginning of June.

But in the Chamber it is the opposition that accuses the centre-left of chasing votes. «It is an exploitation to attack Italy and Hungary in the context of an electoral campaign, as demonstrated by the attacks of secretary Schlein», counterattacks Pietro Fiocchi, of Fratelli d'Italia. In a debate characterized by interventions mainly from Italians, the League, a government ally, stands out for letting a Frenchman, Jean-Lin Lacapelle (Rassemblement National), speak on behalf of the ID group. «Salis is violent, she wanted to impose her far-left ideology in another country», he criticizes. “If an ambush by a nationalist had occurred, Europe would have condemned it, but here we are concerned about the conditions of the prisoner.” For European sovereignists, therefore, the European Parliament «once again puts a debate hostile to Hungary on the agenda». A way of doing things that annoys the exponents of Fidesz, Prime Minister Orban's party.

MEP Eniko Gyori bursts in before the start of the debate, during the preliminary procedures on the requests to change the agenda of the entire plenary session, and criticizes her for «not having given the floor to Hungary, transforming this Parliament into a tribunal.” The president of the European Parliament, Roberto Metsola, reminds that only one speech is expected per group, including that of the Non-attached members in which Fidesz sits. Ignazio Corrao (Verdi), feels forced to clarify. «We are not here to establish whether Ilaria Salis is guilty or innocent, we are not a court. We are here for a case of violation of the rule of law.” Because the chains at the feet of the accused are worthy of “a slave”. To increase the dose Sabrina Pignedoli, of the 5 Star Movement. “The chains that tied Ilaria Salis's hands and feet in a courtroom have gone around the world because it is unthinkable that this would happen in a European Union country.” An implicit memo for Meloni and his government.

For the liberals (RE) it is Nicola Danti who lands the blows. One for Viktor Orban's Hungary where, he denounces, “the judicial power is subservient to the political power” and therefore the trial against Ilaria Salis risks being affected by this situation. Then the criticism of Giorgia Meloni. “We would have liked to hear Meloni's voice, but he preferred not to disturb his friend Orban.” Faced with the Italian government's non-reaction, “it's up to us to stand up in the face of a woman in chains.”