Deputy Premier, Transport Minister
and League leader Matteo Salvini has announced that suspended
anti-gay Army General Roberto Vannacci is set to run in June's
European elections.
Vannacci was recently suspended from duty for 11 months
following a disciplinary procedure sparked by the
self-publication last year of his controversial bestseller 'Il
Mondo al Contrario' (The World Back To Front).
In the book Vannacci, a 55-year-old former paratrooper
commander, says that gays are not normal.
The book also espouses the Great Replacement conspiracy theory
about mainly Muslim migrants replacing ethnic Italians, suggests
only white people can be real Italians, and lauds
stand-your-ground self-defence laws.
Salvini said Vannacci will be among the League's candidates in
all of Italy's constituencies.
"I am happy that a man of value like the general has decided to
pursue his battles for freedom together with the League in the
European Parliament," Salvini said.
Vannacci stressed that he was running as "an independent
candidate who maintains his own identity and will fight, with
courage, to affirm his values of Fatherland, tradition and
family".
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