The death of the Radical Party leader

Bonino: hundreds of citizens pay their final respects. A public vigil is being held today at the Campidoglio

Speakers are expected to include, amongst others, Schlein, Saviano and Rutelli

Emma Bonino, Magi: "Amava istituzioni e democrazia, ha dedicato vita a migliorarle"

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

Hundreds of people – including his sister Domenica – paid their respects on Sunday 13 September Emma Bonino, who died on Friday at the age of the age of 78, at the funeral parlour set up in the Protomoteca hall at the Campidoglio, which will reopen on Monday from 10 am to 7 pm.

A European Union flag was laid upon the coffin of the Radical leader, a former minister, former European Commissioner and former Member of Parliament and later Senator in the 16th and 18th legislatures, a European Union flag was laid, whilst bouquets of flowers left by many members of the public were piled up on either side. Surrounding the coffin were three large wreaths from the Presidency of the Senate, the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies and Palazzo Chigi, as well as one from Radio Radicale.

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A devotion that spans generations and involves young and old alike. “After fasting, now he’s making us climb all these steps, but it’s worth it,” comments a gentleman aloud. “Just thank you,” replies a young woman with tears in her eyes to the journalists who ask her what she would like to say to Bonino today.

As well as family members, the following people remained seated on the chairs arranged alongside the coffin: Benedetto Della Vedova and Riccardo Magi.

A cross-party tribute from the world of politics

Among those who paid tribute to Bonino was Bruno Tabacci, one of the founders of +Europa. “Although some in the Catholic world have criticised the initiative I undertook with her, I believe that the responsibility of the political laity takes precedence over everything else,” the former Christian Democrat explained to reporters.

Also present at the lying-in-state were two former Speakers of the Chamber of Deputies, Pier Ferdinando Casini and Gianfranco Fini. For Casini, Bonino was ‘a pro-European, as we should all be’. Gianfranco Fini makes no secret of their ideological differences but praises Bonino’s political commitment. ‘We held different views on certain issues, but both when she was a European Commissioner and when she was Foreign Minister, we discussed various matters and aspects of international politics and found many points of agreement. Italian and European politics have been poorer for the past few days,’ added the former President of the Chamber of Deputies.

The former Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni was also in attendance. “Fifty years ago, no one would have imagined that radical positions would come to be recognised by everyone, and it is to her credit that this has happened. Bonino has always been a model of courage.” A tribute that cut across party lines also came from Nicola Fratoianni, who arrived at the funeral chapel in the afternoon: the figure of Emma Bonino reminds us that ‘we must defend with great determination the fundamental rights on whose history she left her mark and which are once again under threat today’. Stefania Craxi also spoke: ‘She was capable of seeing her battles through to the very end, and together we fought many battles for civilisation,’ she said.

Civil vigil at the Campidoglio

A number of political leaders and representatives of civil society are expected to attend the public vigil scheduled for 7 pm on Monday 14 September in Piazza del Campidoglio. In addition to Magi, secretary of Più Europa, and Carla Taibi, treasurer and close associate of Bonino, the following will also be speaking – as reported by +E – Elly Schlein, Angelo Bonelli, Francesco Rutelli, Luigi Manconi, Enzo Maraio, Concita De Gregorio, Cécile Kyenge, Kasia Smutniak, Francesca Fagnani, Serena Bortone, Bruno Tabacci, Roberto Giachetti and many others. There will be a strong representation from the radical movement, encompassing both old and new guard figures: from Antonella Soldo to Benedetto della Vedova, from Sergio D’Elia to Filippo Blengino and right through to Matteo Hallissey.

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