Italy’s Tourism Minister, Michela Brambilla, caused a political storm on Thursday by suggesting that the Siena Palio is cruel to horses. In the speech, Ms Brambilla praised Catalonia for banning bullfighting and said that Italy, too, would benefit from reviewing some of its traditional events featuring animals and promoting a more animal-friendly image: “If Catalonia can ban bullfighting, we can ban some Palio races.”
Her remarks immediately caused outrage among members of her own party, Mr Berlusconi’s Pdl, and the Mayor of Siena said it was an incredible statement from an Italian Tourism Minister. Animal rights groups, however, praised the Minister. A few hours later Ms Brambilla issued a denial, saying that she had not specifically called for the Palio to be banned.
Horses do fall at the Siena Palio and sometimes they have to be put down. But the Mayor of Siena says he will take legal action if any of Ms Brambilla’s accusations of cruelty or ill-treatment of the animals are proven.
The Mayor of Feltre [Veneto] has invited Minister Brambilla to the town’s Palio this weekend so that she can see the situation for herself.
Have you ever been to a Palio?
Do you think the tradition should be banned?
