Thousands march to commemorate Mussolini’s rise as far-right sentiments sweep across Europe

As far-right political parties continue to achieve traction in countries throughout Europe, thousands of Italians on Sunday marched to the crypt of Benito Mussolini in celebration of the fascist Italian dictator, The Associated Press reported.

The crowd, which, per AP, was estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 individuals, descended on Mussolini’s final resting place in the town of Predappio. Many throughout the crowd could be seen with fascist symbols and flags, and had been reportedly heard singing Italian colonial-era hymns. The group had gathered to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the March on Rome, during which members of the National Fascist Party overran the Italian capital and forced the nation’s king to hand total power to Mussolini.

Whereas Mussolini is commonly thought of among the many 20th century’s most brutal despots, the march on his grave mirrors the rise in far-right and neo-fascist movements which have been seen both in Italy and throughout Europe.

Far-right movements have been gaining significant traction even in long-held liberal countries such as Sweden. Italy itself recently saw a return to far-right control for the first time since the Mussolini period, following the election of Giorgia Meloni as its next prime minister. Meloni, a leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy, reportedly evolved from post-World War II fascist sentiments.

Nonetheless, not everybody in Italy appeared to welcome the far-right groups with open arms. Prior to the march on Mussolini’s grave, almost 1,000 anti-fascist activists reportedly celebrated Italy’s 1944 liberation in an enormous rally on Friday.