Ronzulli (FI): “Reinstating anti-vaccine doctors is wrong. Mistakes? No agreement was reached. We will amend it in the Senate.”

“I cannot agree with the vote taken two days ago. It was a mistake. Opposing anti-vaxxers is not an ideology. It is the defence of public health.” Licia Ronzulli, a Forza Italia senator, does not mince her words when commenting on the Chamber of Deputies’ vote on the reinstatement of doctors who have not been vaccinated against Covid. The measure was introduced in an amendment attached to the draft bill on healthcare professions (which will now go to the Senate). And the text risked being rejected, had it not been for the votes of MPs from Futuro Nazionale, Roberto Vannacci’s party. For the past 48 hours, they have been claiming to have been “crucial” (for once). And not without reason: the group’s eight votes were decisive for the approval of the clause, which passed with 126 in favour and 113 against. A narrow victory, which highlighted the divisions within Forza Italia: some of the party’s MPs did not take part in the vote, whilst others supported the measure.

“Given my personal history and the battles that Forza Italia has fought since the start of the pandemic, I believe yesterday’s vote was wrong, as was the message it conveyed: it gives the impression that doctors who got vaccinated – simply doing their duty – could have chosen not to. We have emerged from the Covid crisis thanks to science and vaccines: we must not forget that,” says the senator.

So, Mr Ronzulli, one wonders how this could have happened. Where did the system break down? “I’m not in the Chamber, of course, so I don’t know exactly. There was a mistake in the Committee: I’ve been told that the Forza Italia representative who voted in favour had only just joined from the Lega. Then there are those who say they don’t know, who are looking for excuses…”. But the bill reached the Chamber exactly as it was eventually voted on yesterday. “And in fact, my colleagues should have tried to negotiate a solution. I was very surprised.” For a specific reason, explains Ronzulli: "I do not renounce President Berlusconi’s position, nor that of my party, which has been fighting the battle for vaccines for years. If you’re fighting Covid by relying on vaccines, you cannot then rehabilitate those who have rejected them."

However, the records show different results and the bill is passed. And Vannacci was there to help. On certain issues, are there perhaps alliances that go beyond political agreements? “There was no agreement the day before yesterday. In fact, this is nothing new: Vannacci has always opposed compulsory vaccination. Which, if I may say so, is quite laughable.” What? “That this position is being expressed by a member of the armed forces, who is subject to compulsory vaccination by law. What on earth are we talking about?”

The day after the vote, Sergio Mattarella also issued a warning. “Incredible timing,” said Ronzulli. Today, the Head of State emphasised the value of science and took a very strong stance. “He made a powerful appeal to the sense of responsibility and love for our institutions and citizens that have characterised our country throughout the Covid pandemic.” According to the senator, “he said what anyone with institutional responsibility ought to say”. And indeed: “Vaccines save lives, and fake news has been devastating. We are not talking about pluralism when we rehabilitate those who chose to reject science whilst the country was counting its dead. I repeat: opposing anti-vaxxers is not an ideology”.

But the issue remains. As does the question: why not also take a stand against Fratelli d’Italia? “There are different sensibilities: we were part of the Draghi government, whilst FdI were not. I wouldn’t link the health of the coalition to an issue which, fortunately, we have left behind us. This does not mean we should set a bad example,” Ronzulli points out. And so it will not end here. The party’s Senate leader, Stefania Craxi, also said as much yesterday: “We are not throwing in the towel. When it reaches the Senate, Forza Italia will call for an amendment. For one very simple reason: there is no going back.”