Controversial Incident Involving Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi at Literary Event
Journalist Lavinia Orefici describes an unsettling encounter during a discussion at the 'Libri come 2025' festival in Rome.
During the 'Libri come 2025 - Festa del libro e della lettura' in Rome, an incident involving former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and journalist Lavinia Orefici has drawn attention.
Orefici, an envoy for Quarta Repubblica, reported that she posed a question regarding the Ventotene Manifesto at the event, which was met with a brusque response from Prodi.
In what Orefici described as an aggressive and disrespectful tone, Prodi replied, 'What kind of question is that?
This is a vulgar way to do politics.' Subsequently, Orefici claimed that Prodi grabbed a handful of her hair, a gesture she found shocking and demeaning, particularly considering her professional experience.
She expressed her surprise at receiving such treatment from a former head of government and emphasized feeling offended both as a journalist and as a woman.
In response to Orefici's allegations, Prodi denied any wrongdoing.
He stated that he did not pull or tug at Orefici's hair but instead laid a hand on her shoulder to express disagreement with her inquiry.
Prodi's assertion was that this gesture was a response to what he perceived as unreasonable statements made by Orefici during the exchange.
Orefici expressed disappointment that Prodi did not offer an apology following the incident, noting that she felt the words exchanged during the confrontation were also unacceptable.
She expressed her distress at being treated in such a manner, particularly in light of the broader context of gender dynamics in journalism.
The events are set to be captured in a film that will be released soon, featuring footage from the incident.
Orefici, an envoy for Quarta Repubblica, reported that she posed a question regarding the Ventotene Manifesto at the event, which was met with a brusque response from Prodi.
In what Orefici described as an aggressive and disrespectful tone, Prodi replied, 'What kind of question is that?
This is a vulgar way to do politics.' Subsequently, Orefici claimed that Prodi grabbed a handful of her hair, a gesture she found shocking and demeaning, particularly considering her professional experience.
She expressed her surprise at receiving such treatment from a former head of government and emphasized feeling offended both as a journalist and as a woman.
In response to Orefici's allegations, Prodi denied any wrongdoing.
He stated that he did not pull or tug at Orefici's hair but instead laid a hand on her shoulder to express disagreement with her inquiry.
Prodi's assertion was that this gesture was a response to what he perceived as unreasonable statements made by Orefici during the exchange.
Orefici expressed disappointment that Prodi did not offer an apology following the incident, noting that she felt the words exchanged during the confrontation were also unacceptable.
She expressed her distress at being treated in such a manner, particularly in light of the broader context of gender dynamics in journalism.
The events are set to be captured in a film that will be released soon, featuring footage from the incident.
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