The Chamber of Deputies votes to designate a day in honour of Enzo Tortora. The PD, M5S and AVS abstain

With 178 votes in favour and 97 abstentions, the Chamber of Deputies has given the green light to the establishment of the ‘Enzo Tortora’ National Day in memory of the victims of miscarriages of justice. The centre-right groups, Iv and Azione voted in favour, whilst the PD, M5S and AVS abstained. “Given the way this measure was brought before the Chamber – without a mandate for the rapporteur, without a debate on the amendments and without any real discussion in committee – we cannot vote in favour today,” commented PD MP Rachele Scarpa, explaining her party’s decision. “It was the wrong approach, which prevented our parliamentary group from contributing to a matter that would have required the broadest possible consensus.”

The date chosen, 17 June each year, is the day on which, in 1983, Tortora – a journalist and popular television presenter – was arrested on a very serious charge, from which he was subsequently fully acquitted following a gruelling legal ordeal. And whilst acknowledging the soundness of the principles behind the bill, “the abstention vote,” Scarpa added, “is also intended to send a signal of openness. If, during the subsequent examination in the Senate, a genuine debate is finally allowed and our Group is able to help improve the text, that willingness could also result in a vote in favour.”

These justifications had little effect on Gaia Tortora, daughter of Enzo and deputy editor-in-chief of Tg La7, who commented in a post on X: “The PD, M5S and AVS abstained. What a lovely little clique.” And again: “You’re a disgrace. You’re beyond comment.” She then concluded: “To those who abstained with ridiculous, bogus excuses, I say that I feel deep pity for you.”

The M5S also explained its decision to abstain. “Establishing a National Day dedicated to Enzo Tortora and the victims of miscarriages of justice is important, but remembrance alone is not enough: we need truth, accountability and justice,” said M5S MP Valentina D’Orso, speaking during the general debate. “This is why we have proposed clearly defining what constitutes a miscarriage of justice and extending protection to include victims of crime who have not received justice. We have also called for awareness-raising activities to be entrusted to those with specific expertise: the judiciary, the legal profession and universities. Because discussing due process, the presumption of innocence and criminal liability requires appropriate tools and cannot become a mere symbolic exercise,” she concluded. Her colleague Stefania Ascari added: “A national day can be a starting point, not the end point. Remembrance must translate into concrete measures to prevent errors and protect those who fall victim to them.”