Italian President Sergio Mattarella
on Monday got a long standing ovation at the Lower House after
Democratic Party (PD) whip Chiara Braga expressed solidarity to
the head of State over accusations waged by Russia.
Braga's expression of "solidarity" prompted all lawmakers to
stand up and applaud Mattarella for about two minutes.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said
that Mattarella's comments at the University of Marseilles
earlier this month comparing Moscow to Nazi Germany over its
invasion of Ukraine will not go "without consequences".
"During a lecture at an educational institution, he said he
believed that Russia could be equated with the Third Reich,"
Russian news agency Ria Novosti quoted Zakharova as saying on
Russian State TV.
"This cannot, and will never, be left without consequences".
Last week, Zakharova blasted Mattarella's speech, saying it
featured "blasphemous inventions".
Sources at the president's office said in response that
Mattarella was absolutely serene, urging people to read the text
of his speech.
Premier Giorgia Meloni has said the attacks on Mattarella
"offend the whole nation, which the Head of State represents.
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