Italians angry

“Insult to Christians”: criticism of Paris celebrations

The opening ceremony in Paris was not well received by everyone.(Bild: AFP)

The opening of the Olympic Games in Paris has triggered protests from Italy's right-wing parties. Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini sharply criticized the opening ceremony in Paris on Saturday, during which Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" was staged with drag queens.

"Opening the Olympic Games by insulting billions of Christians around the world was a truly terrible start, dear French people!" wrote Salvini on his social media.

Criticism was also voiced by Italy's Family Minister Eugenia Roccella, who belongs to the right-wing populist ruling party "Fratelli d'Italia" led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She criticized the "display of American cultural imperialism with the classic appendages of transgender, fluidity and multiculturalism".

Matteo Salvini(Bild: AFP/GABRIEL BOUYS)

"Divisive culture"
"It is a deeply exclusionary and divisive culture that is far removed from the common sense of the majority," said Roccella. All of this contradicts the true spirit of the Olympic Games, which were born to bring people together to unite in a fair sporting competition that begins with mutual recognition," explained the minister.

Eugenia Roccella(Bild: APA/AFP/Andreas SOLARO)

"France has always been careful not to allow itself to be colonized, to preserve its linguistic and cultural identity. This is why the choice made for the opening ceremony is all the more surprising", said the Minister.