PD councilor Anna Maria Bigon finds herself in the vortex of a political controversy after voting against the “Zaia law” on the end of life in Veneto. Her choice to abstain for reasons of conscience, contrary to the Democratic Party’s recommendation, cost her dismissal from her position as deputy provincial secretary of the Verona Democrats. Lawyer and former mayor Bigon made this conscious decision without leaving the room, without reducing the quorum requested by the Democratic Party. The punitive decision arrived a few days later, formally issued by the party’s provincial secretariat. Franco Bonfante, provincial manager of the Verona Democratic Party, declared that he assumes full responsibility for the decision, stressing that the choice was made with total autonomy.
The national leadership of the Democratic Party, Il Giornale reports, tried to dissociate itself from the purge. But Secretary Elly Schlein’s words after the vote on the end-of-life law clearly indicated the possibility of consequences for Councilor Bigon. Schlein had stated that if the group asks to leave the room and the vote is in favor, it is correct to do so. This raised concerns within the Catholic wing of the Democratic Party.
Some party leaders, such as former minister Graziano Delrio and deputy Lorenzo Guerini, expressed concern about the negative signal sent by Bigon’s exclusion. Delrio said this was “a bad sign”, while Guerini stressed that party discipline should not replace freedom of conscience in ethically sensitive issues. In Verona, on February 5th, a fierce confrontation is expected during the management meeting on the end-of-life case. Internal tensions in the Democratic Party never end.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
