MP Riccardo Magi was dragged out of a session for wearing a white sheet with cut-out eyeholes
An Italian opposition MP was dragged out of a parliamentary session on Wednesday for dressing up as a ghost and condemning what he said are attempts to stifle democratic participation.
In a video shared online, Riccardo Magi, a member of the +Europa party, could be seen wearing a white sheet with cut-out eyeholes and the word ‘Referendum’ written on the fabric. During the session, he shouted from his seat to protest what his party claims are government efforts to discourage voter turnout for several national referendums scheduled for next month. The votes are set to cover issues such as Italy’s citizenship requirements for foreigners and repeal certain labor reform provisions.
Magi’s demonstration was cut short after Lorenzo Fontana, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, ordered the MP to be escorted out of the session. Parliamentary ushers, together with five security personnel, could then be seen dragging Magi out of the chamber.
Possono trascinare il fantasma del Referendum via dall’aula ma non ci fermeranno nel tentare di informare gli italiani.Chiediamo solo che il Presidente del Consiglio informi i cittadini sul voto referendario. Non le stiamo chiedendo un favore, è un suo preciso dovere.L’8 e 9… pic.twitter.com/xEKCgpUnsb
— Riccardo Magi (@riccardomagi) May 14, 2025
After the incident, Magi uploaded a video of his demonstration on X, writing that “they can drag the ghost of the Referendum away from the chamber but they will not stop us from trying to inform the Italians.”
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“We only ask that the Prime Minister inform citizens about the referendum vote. We are not asking you for a favor, it is your precise duty,” he said, calling on citizens to vote on June 8 and 9 “without fear.”
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