Overview
- The photomontage, captioned “Tanti auguri Befana,” was posted on January 6 and quickly went viral.
- PD leaders Francesco Boccia, Chiara Braga, and Nicola Zingaretti called the gesture “davvero grave,” urged an apology, and pressed parties backing Dipiazza, including Giorgia Meloni’s, to disavow it.
- Dipiazza defended sharing the image in an interview and said he has nothing to apologize for.
- Critics cited a recent remark to a councillor—“non mi sono mai fatto comandare da una donna”—and argued the post showed a pattern of sexist behavior, also noting its timing as victims from Crans Montana were repatriated.
- Italia Viva and Five Star Movement figures expressed solidarity with Schlein, and TgLa7 director Enrico Mentana publicly criticized the mayor; no formal sanctions had been reported.