Il Fatto Quotidiano published the story on its front page Wednesday saying that the minister, who was travelling from Rome to Caivano, had got on the Turin-Salerno Frecciarossa at Termini but then made it make a special stop at Ciampino because it was 111 minutes late, in order to continue on his way by car.
Former prime minister and centrist Italia Viva (IV) party leader Matteo Renzi and the leftwing populist 5-Star Movement (M5S) were among those calling for Lollobrigida to quit over the alleged personal use of public transport.
Meanwhile, many critics compared his behaviour to the Marchese del Grillo, an Alberto Sordi comic character known for his high-handed dismissal of common mortals.
M5S leader and former PM Giuseppe Conte said Lollobrigida’s conduct “sends a devastating signal” while the M5S deputy House whip, Agostino Santillo, said “someone who stops a train as if it was his own property … must resign”.
Green leader Angelo Bonelli said it must be established if Lollobrigida committed abuse of office while Più Europa (More Europe) leader Riccardo Magi said, “if it’s true that Lollobrigida got a train to stop for his own convenience then he must explain himself in parliament”.
The minister’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party said that the flak directed at him was “disgraceful” and “unacceptable”.
The party said he had only made sure he could get to an important event like the opening of a park in Caivano, which the government is trying to clean up, “without in any way provoking any damage to the other passengers”.
ANSA
