League Criticizes School Book Distribution as ‘Indoctrination’

Rome: Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing League party, has expressed strong opposition to an incident involving Buccinasco Mayor Rino Pruiti, who distributed a book by former centre-left Democratic Party leader and ex-Rome mayor Walter Veltroni to elementary school students.

According to Ansa News Agency, Salvini took to social media to voice his concerns, describing the distribution of the book to 10-year-olds as a serious issue, particularly because it occurred without parental consent. He questioned the funding behind the initiative and called for transparency in the matter. Salvini criticized the book for addressing themes he deemed inappropriate for school discussions.

In a related development, MP Rossano Sasso, the League party’s whip in the Lower House’s science, culture, and education commission, also condemned the move by the centre-left mayor of Buccinasco. Sasso labeled the initiative as “indoctrination” and announced plans to report the case to the education ministry. He highlighted that Veltroni’s book, ‘La pi¹ bella del mondo’ (the most beautiful in the world), includes narratives about partisan children, migrant children, and children exploring gender identity, which has led to parental protests.

In response to the controversy, the regional school office of Lombardy has initiated an investigation into the matter. The education ministry confirmed that the probe was launched following complaints from several families of the students involved.