Milan, 22 January (LaPresse) – ‘There is no precedent in this legislature comparable to what is happening today. After the unity of Parliament was publicly sanctioned by a handshake, the majority decided to break that political pact with the opposition on the most sensitive and symbolic issue: women's freedom and self-determination.’ This was stated in a note by the opposition leaders in the Senate, Francesco Boccia (PD), Stefano Patuanelli (M5S), Raffaella Paita (IV), Peppe De Cristofaro (AVS), and Marco Lombardo (Azione). ‘A significant and shared result had been achieved in Montecitorio, built on the cross-party unity of women and on a simple, clear, universal principle: only yes means yes. A principle that gave a voice to victims, spoke the language of reality and brought Italy closer to the most advanced standards of international law and conventions,’ they added. The proposal put forward today by President Bongiorno cancels the commitment made directly by Prime Minister Meloni and represents a serious step backwards from that achievement, from the government's word and from a conquest that had united Parliament and the country. Will is not consent. To blur this distinction means to harm and weaken the protection of women and betray the spirit of that agreement. The break is political, and it is entirely on the shoulders of those who have chosen to turn back. Now the Prime Minister must clearly state whether she intends to defend the result achieved in the Chamber of Deputies or whether she accepts that the very thing that made that law a sign of extraordinary civilisation will be cancelled," conclude the opposition leaders in the Senate.