25 April, Mattarella on Ventotene: "From different Resistances the idea of a Europe of peoples was born". Meloni: "We honour democratic values denied by fascism".

In his 'Brothers All', the Pope urged us to overcome "anachronistic conflicts", reminding us that "each generation must make the struggles and achievements of previous generations its own and lead them to even higher goals. It is not possible to be content with what has already been achieved in the past and stop, and enjoy it as if this situation made us ignore that many of our brothers and sisters still suffer situations of injustice that challenge us all". That is why it is always time for the Resistance,' added the President of the Republic, 'that is why the values that inspired it are always relevant'.

Mattarella then quoted former President of the Republic Sandro Pertini. There was a 'very peculiar issue, to settle which, from the CLNAI, Sandro Pertini, the seventh President of our Republic, was sent. Today, in his region, we want to honour his memory,' he said. 'His figure leads us to remember that political participation is an issue that characterises our democracy'.

One passage of the speech was on Ventotene. "Also from the different Resistances the idea of the Europe of the peoples was born - Mattarella recalled -, today embodied by the popular sovereignty expressed by the Strasbourg Parliament. It was anti-fascist exponents who elaborated the idea of a united Europe, against the tragedy of nationalisms that had triggered the European civil wars. One name for all here in Genoa,' he emphasised, 'is that of Luciano Bolis, an exponent of the Partito d'Azione, horribly tortured by the Black Brigades in February 1945, who miraculously survived. Silver medal for military valour, he now rests in Ventotene, next to Altiero Spinelli'.

Finally, a clear message: we must not surrender to abstentionism. 'It is the democratic exercise that substantiates our freedom,' Mattarella explained. 'From these founding principles comes an appeal: we cannot surrender to citizens' absenteeism from public affairs, to voter abstentionism, to a low-intensity democracy. Also to respect the sacrifices that our people have had to endure to become citizens again, holders of the rights of freedom'.

Il presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella con il presidente del Consiglio Giorgia Meloni, il presidente del Senato Ignazio La Russa, il presidente della Camera Lorenzo Fontana e il ministro alla Difesa Guido Crosetto, durante la cerimonia della deposizione di una corona in occasione dell’80 esimo Anniversario della Liberazione, presso l’Altare della Patria (foto Ansa).

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recalled that 'today Italy celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation. On this day, the nation honours its newfound freedom and reaffirms the centrality of those democratic values that the fascist regime had denied and that have been engraved in the Republican Constitution for seventy-seven years. Democracy," she added, "finds strength and vigour if it is based on respect for others, on confrontation and freedom, and not on oppression, hatred and delegitimisation of the political opponent. Today we renew our commitment so that this anniversary may increasingly become a moment of national concord, in the name of freedom and democracy, against all forms of totalitarianism, authoritarianism and political violence'.

The call for sobriety on 25 April 'is incomprehensible. I have always felt sober and I believe that the vast majority of everyone in the square is sober. These invitations should be made if there is an argument'. So said Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala at the laying of wreaths for 25 April at Palazzo Marino. "I would have preferred to say 'no music' for example. I would have found it wrong, but it would have been a clear message. So it is a misleading message that tends to give a negative sign to those in the square. In Milan, there is always sobriety in those who demonstrate on 25 April,' Sala stressed.

Moments of tension between the sections of the two marches for 25 April in Rome. The heated argument, which also resulted in some shoving, occurred between students of Cambiare Rotta and militants of potere al Popolo, and the Anpi demonstrators. The two marches, which started together from Largo Bompiani, then separated, as planned, past the Spizzichino bridge. The Anpi towards Parco Schuster, and the students together with Pap towards San Paolo. "Warmongers. Get the PD out of the procession', shouted the students, who later burned a NATO flag. The tense moment occurred on Via Ostiense.

"We have taken back the square of the Resistance, a victory". With these slogans, to the notes of 'Bella ciao' amid the smoke flares in the colours of the Palestinian flag, the procession of Palestinians broke up on Liberation Day. at the height of Ponte Spizzichino. There were many references to the late Pontiff. And against the government. A photo of Pope Francis smiling stands out, accompanied by the inscription: 'Meloni, Fassino, Cuperlo Violante: you trample, his words on Gaza, weapons, wars, migrants'.

Over 90 thousand people took part in the 25 April demonstration in Milan today. The estimate is from the ANPI, which was satisfied after the conclusion. 'The balance can only be positive,' said Milan president Primo Minelli, 'It was a united, participated, peaceful and anti-fascist demonstration.

Crowds of people despite the rain and a massive deployment of police forces characterise the solemn 25 April ceremony at the Risiera di San Sabba to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, attended by civil, military and religious authorities of various denominations. Crowded inside the Risiera - the only Nazi concentration camp in Italy - where the number of participants was limited to 2,200. Trade unions and the ANPI were also present, as well as the banners of some local municipalities and of the combat and weapons associations. Outside the Risiera, some 100 people demonstrated with flags and placards. The ceremony began with the laying of a wreath in front of the spot where the crematorium used to stand.