Overview
- Roberto Dipiazza, the Forza Italia mayor of Trieste, posted a Befana photomontage with Elly Schlein’s face and the caption “Tanti auguri Befana” on January 6.
- PD parliamentary leaders Francesco Boccia and Chiara Braga, with Nicola Zingaretti, called the gesture very serious and urged an apology and public distancing by parties that back Dipiazza, including at the national level.
- Trieste PD secretary Caterina Conti said the image was not satire, denouncing it as disrespectful, sexist and an example of body-shaming unworthy of a public officeholder.
- TgLa7 director Enrico Mentana shared the post and questioned how a mayor could use an opponent’s face for such a message, signaling criticism from prominent media voices.
- The episode was linked to a recent sexist remark by Dipiazza toward a councillor, reinforcing accusations of a pattern of behavior, and no apology or formal distancing was reported in the coverage.