A storm erupts in Emilia-Romagna, with Bocchi (FdI) making shocking remarks about home abortions: "Throw away the fetus and flush it down the toilet." The Democratic Party protests: "These are unworthy words."

Bologna, July 9, 2025 – Sparks flew yesterday at the Emilia-Romagna Legislative Assembly over the abortion pill. The words that caught fire were those of Fratelli d'Italia regional councilor Priamo Bocchi, who, regarding the home administration of the RU486 pill introduced in the Emilia-Romagna Region , used a shocking expression: "Women are allowed to abort alone in their bathroom , expelling the fetus and flushing the toilet." This phrase came under fire from the center-left, which had proposed the resolution (later postponed to the next session on November 22 due to lack of time) against pro-life prayers outside abortion clinics.

The disputed sentences

"Today, Emilia-Romagna allows home abortions . Women can get the second dose at home, and I wonder if anyone who spoke of violence or, in any case, abuse of a woman's rights realizes this," Bocchi replies to his critics. For the Melonian , violence is something entirely different: "They allow her to abort alone in her bathroom, expelling the fetus and flushing the toilet, because that's what happens, if you can call it that. That's the truth."

The centre-left's replies

Democratic Party councilor Francesco Critelli responded: "These words are unacceptable. There's a limit to everything, and patience runs out," he protested. "Patience runs out," the Democrat insisted, "not because there's no freedom to express one's opinion, but because certain issues that touch the very flesh and suffering of tens of thousands of women deserve to be treated with respect, and we can't even think of discussing politics in such a barbaric and violent manner."

Stefano Bonaccini, former governor, now MEP and president of the Democratic Party, also weighed in on the issue: "The statements made by Fratelli d'Italia regional councilor Bocchi are unacceptable and unworthy. I would also like to know the opinion of councilor Elena Ugolini, who has already been a candidate for president for the entire center-right..." He then rewinds the tape and asserts "the decision, as regional president, to expand the network of public health centers that allow the administration of the abortion pill RU486. This measure complies with national regulations to fully implement a right to choose that concerns women and their own bodies. To guarantee all women in Emilia-Romagna information, assistance, protection, and support throughout the entire process, through highly qualified facilities and personnel." Bonaccini then concludes, "I would like to remind Councilor Bocchi that in Emilia-Romagna, voluntary terminations of pregnancy have more than halved over the last twenty years."

The Democratic Party (PD) women also took aim at the Melonian's words: "Once again, in the Regional Legislative Assembly, we were outraged and outraged by the words of someone elected to represent our community in the institutions," said Marcella Zappaterra, regional councilor and acting spokesperson for the Democratic Women in Emilia-Romagna, in a statement. For Zappaterra, the Fratelli d'Italia councilor "embodies the sexist and offensive ideals of a right-wing party that does not accept equality and equal rights for men and women in Italy. He is offensive, hypocritical, and ignorant. This is what free and honest women and men must fight against to eradicate the domineering and chauvinistic culture that is so deeply rooted that it justifies physical, verbal, and psychological violence against women." Not only that, Zappaterra also recalled "the clumsy and despicable rationale for femicide and violence against women given by the FdI representative: 'The devirilization of man himself.'" From here, Zappaterra calls the Brothers of Italy group: "Do you agree with your representative? Or do you distance yourself?"

The counterattack of Melonian Evangelisti

Meloni's regional group leader, Marta Evangelisti, counterattacked. "While the center-left protested Bocchi's words, Fratelli d'Italia considers the words of AVS councilor Simona Larghetti to be violent and unacceptable," she said. "She lashed out at the Pro Vita & Famiglia demonstrations, using shameful language on an extremely sensitive issue like abortion. We heard the embryo described as a 'clump of cells,' denying the value of life. And she argued that not all women consider abortion a tragedy." Senator Silvia Fregolent, closing the chorus of attacks on Bocchi, concluded: "Comparing the termination of pregnancy to the act of 'flushing the toilet' is a grave verbal abuse, an offense to women's dignity. It's clear that the right continues to use women's bodies as a battleground for ideological conflict, with cynicism and ignorance."