Italy's Ruling Party Proposes Bill to Protect School Nativity Scenes

Facts

• Italy’s ruling Brothers of Italy (FdI) party introduced a bill to the Senate on Wednesday that would safeguard Christian traditions, such as displays of nativity scenes and Christmas plays at schools.¹
• The legislation would prevent schools from banning the Nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ and impose disciplinary sanctions on school officials who seek to eliminate Christian celebrations of Christmas or Easter.²
• Lavinia Mennuni, a senator from the FdI, sponsored the bill and argued that Christianity and Christian celebrations are a core part of the Italian identity.³
• The bill would impose fines on principals who choose to remove Nativity scenes, which drew criticism from teachers' unions and opposition parties.⁴
• As Italy’s population continues to become more diverse, growing cultural issues have fractured the country as Meloni and the FdI have argued for more restrictive immigration and adherence to Italian traditions.⁵

Sources: ¹The telegraph, ²Www.euractiv.com, ³Civilek infó, ⁴BBC News and ⁵Guardian.

Narratives

• Right narrative, as provided by La mossa – il tempo. Meloni and the FdI understand that the Italian people are linked by a shared faith and origin that must be maintained, as some leftists attempt to remove Christianity from society. The Italian government has a duty to stick up for Italian culture and interests, and Christmas and Easter are Christian celebrations — they must be respected as such.
• Left narrative, as provided by The messenger. While religion should undoubtedly be respected, it shouldn't be imposed on students, and that's exactly what this bill — which ignores the fact that Italy is officially a secular country — would do. If this wasn’t enough, Meloni tries to prop up Christianity while turning her back on migrants seeking a better life. Italy’s right wing seemingly only cares about dividing and playing politics.