There is no greater opponent of the Left than the Left itself.
Maurizio Landini, the head of Italy’s biggest (General Confederation of Labour/CGIL) union, which was partly behind recent strike action—held not in support of workers’ rights but Gaza—has this week displayed this point perfectly.
Discussing—on national television, no less—Giorgia Meloni’s participation in the Israel-Gaza peace conference in Egypt, Landini said the prime minister had acted as Donald Trump’s “bag carrier” and, crucially, as his “courtesan.”
Though the unionist denies it, this word is commonly known to be a euphemism for prostitution. He is either lying, or he is stupid.
Meloni hit back on social media, describing Landini’s slur as “another splendid slide from the Left,”
The one that for decades has lectured us on respect for women, but then, to criticise a woman, lacking arguments, calls her a prostitute.
The PM added that his mind was “evidently clouded by a mounting resentment.”
Il segretario generale della CGIL, Maurizio Landini, evidentemente obnubilato da un rancore montante (che comprendo), mi definisce in televisione una “cortigiana”.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 16, 2025
Penso che tutti conoscano il significato più comune attribuito a questa parola, ma, a beneficio di chi non lo… pic.twitter.com/JS51GN7Yn9
Former minister Elena Bonetti also stressed that “either you are for women or you are against them.”
Calling a prime minister a courtesan not only betrays the principles of dignity and equality that should guide the leader of a union, but also offends all the other women.
Criticism likewise came from some figures on the Left, who accused Landini of sexism.
And journalist Alberto Ciapparoni joked that “with this left, Meloni will govern for another 30 years.”