Lucrezia Ciotti Political storm erupted in Reggio Emilia following remarks made by Democratic Party city councilor Antonio Casella during a City Council meeting. At the center of the controversy was a reference to the historic Northern League leader Umberto Bossi , who died in March 2026, which prompted a harsh reaction from Northern League representatives and calls for the Democratic councilor's resignation.
Casella later clarified his position.
Antonio Casella's comments on Umberto Bossi spark controversy
A political clash erupted in Reggio Emilia following statements made by Democratic Party city councilor Antonio Casella during the latest City Council meeting. During the debate, responding to Brothers of Italy councilor Cristian Paglialonga, Casella referenced the historic Northern League leader Umberto Bossi, who died in March 2026, stating: " Fortunately, our Lord called the man who conceived this idea a few months ago . "
The comment came during a discussion on the government's proposed cap on foreign students in classes.
The statements provoked a harsh reaction from members of the League, who called for Casella's resignation and for the Democratic Party to take a stand. League MP Laura Cavandoli declared: " Politics can be harsh and dissent total, but a person's death cannot become a joke to be used against a political opponent , " further criticizing the Democratic Party's silence.
The regional secretary of the Emilia League Matteo Rancan and Senator Lucia Borgonzoni defined the words as “ simply unacceptable, unrepeatable and unworthy of an institutional place ” , asking: “ Are you really happy about the death of a political opponent?”.
Emilian Senator Elena Murelli also called the statements " abhorrent and unacceptable , " while Lega group leader Alessandro Rinaldi argued that Casella had failed to demonstrate the necessary respect for the role he held. Member of Parliament Jacopo Morrone , from the Lega Romagna party, also spoke out, arguing that " political fair play in the face of the death of an opponent would impose an insurmountable human limit . "
Casella responded to the accusations: "We were talking about the thinking that Bossi has been espousing for 30 years."
At the center of the controversy, Casella later provided his own version of events, explaining to the Gazzetta di Reggio that the reference was not to Bossi as a person, but to the ideas supported by the historic League leader throughout his political career. " We were talking about the thinking that Bossi has expounded for 30 years. Rinaldi said that the League no longer exists, so I don't understand why he's making these demands. My intervention referred to Bossi's thinking, and he defends Bossi ," the councilor stated. Casella also recalled Paglialonga's earlier intervention, stating: " He spent ten minutes saying that the Democratic Party is racist ..." Regarding the use of the term " scum " in reference to the center-right, he clarified: " I didn't mean to offend anyone who votes for the right . " The issue thus remains at the center of political debate in the Reggio Emilia City Council, with the League continuing to demand a stance against the Democratic Party councilor.