Several sources within the police and a major Italian police union have expressed concern that the proposed Five Star Movement (M5S) coalition with the left-wing Democratic Party could harm officers.
A policeman, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the general feeling among officers was a concern that the Democratic Party (PD) would work against the interests of police once they come to power, Il Giornale reports.
“The feelings are conflicting because everyone has his own political ideas. But in general, many are worried that now those who are against the police will return to power,” the officer said.
The sentiment was backed by Italian police union Italia Celere whose secretary Andrea Cecchini stated: “We do not do politics but the facts and historical data tell us that M5S and PD are the two parties that hurt the police the most.”
Valter Mazzetti, secretary-general of the FSP, another police union, said he was worried that the new coalition may undo pro-police policies passed by populist leader and interior minister Matteo Salvini, such as the introduction of tasers.
Italian Police Praise New Salvini Security Decree https://t.co/FYAcpIhQ8P
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 15, 2019
“Think for example of the taser, inserted with difficulty by the Interior Ministry: Pd and M5S in different cities opposed its introduction. And they weren’t even together in the government. Will the taser end up in oblivion?” he said.
The fears come after Mr Salvini passed a number of pro-police policies as part of his second migration and security decree, policies that were praised by police and police unions in June.
The decree included measures aimed at preventing violence against officers by increasing penalties for their attackers at demonstrations, sports events, or concerts.
Democratic Party leader Nicola Zingaretti has also made it clear that he wants to scrap the anti-mass migration policies in the decrees and reopen Italy’s ports to migrant transport NGOs.
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