The chapel of rest for Emma Bonino opened today at 12:00 in the Campidoglio 's Promoteca Hall . The historic Radical leader, who died at the age of 78, will receive her last embrace from the citizens here today and tomorrow. Then , on Tuesday the 15th, a secular state funeral will take place in the same space , beginning at 12:30.
Riccardo Magi, Benedetto Della Vedova, and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, along with relatives of the radical leader, welcomed the body upon its arrival at the Capitoline Hill.
Inside the Sala della Protomoteca, behind the coffin, are wreaths from the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, and the Prime Minister. The European flag hangs on the coffin .
"EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN" – "So many citizens are here to pay homage to an extraordinary woman, a key figure in our republic and our democracy . I was struck by the many people standing before her coffin who said 'thank you,'" said Roberto Gualtieri as he left the Capitoline Hill. "She played a very important role in many decisive moments in making our country freer and therefore more just. She was a gentle and tenacious fighter for the rule of law, for civil and political liberties . And she was a staunch European ," added the mayor. "For her, human rights were the same throughout the world, and our country is a better country, thanks in part to her. The decision to hold a state funeral was very appropriate."
TRIBUTES – Numerous tributes have poured in over the past few hours . Among them is the National Association of Magistrates, with President Giuseppe Tango saying: "I would like to express my condolences for the passing of Emma Bonino, a leading figure in the history of the Republic. A woman capable of fighting for rights and waging social and civil battles. Our condolences go out to her loved ones and her political family," he said at the opening of the meeting of the Central Steering Committee of the National Association of Magistrates. Meanwhile, the Campania Democratic Party (PD) announced the presentation of a bill on fertility preservation in the name of the Radical leader's civil rights struggles.
Meanwhile, Alessandro Di Santo, mayor of Castelvenere, a town in the province of Benevento, announced he will ask the next city council to name a street after her . A civil vigil has been scheduled for tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM in Piazza del Campidoglio, with various figures from politics, culture, and entertainment.
(Unioneonline/vl)