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1/28/13

Italy's Berlusconi praises Mussolini on Holocaust Day and sparks outrage

Former Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi sparked outrage on Sunday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, after he praised the country’s wartime fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

Mussolini was a key ally of the Nazi regime, the main perpetrator of the industrialised slaughter of millions of Jews during the Second World War.

During his rule, Italy enacted anti-Semitic racial policies while allowing thousands of Italian Jews to be deported to concentration camps. “The racial laws were the worst mistake of a leader, Mussolini, who however did good things in so many other areas," Berlusconi said on the sidelines of a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day in Milan.

“Italy does not have the same responsibilities as Germany,” said Berlusconi, who is hoping to make a return to politics in next month’s parliamentary elections.

Read more: Italy's Berlusconi praises Mussolini on Holocaust Day - ITALY - FRANCE 24

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