ROME: An Italian general who published a book espousing racist and homophobic opinions has been fired following widespread criticism, including from the defence minister.

General Roberto Vanna­cci, 54, who led the Italian contingents during deployment in Afghanis­tan and Iraq, was dismissed on Friday as head of Italy’s Military Geographical Insti­tute.

A military official said The World Backwards had been self-published earlier this month on Amazon.com without the knowledge of the army.

Among various opinions expressed in the book, Vannacci says homosexuals are not “normal” and rails against the “dictatorship of minorities”, taking aim at feminists, environmentalists, people of colour, and immigrants.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said “the personal ramb­lin­gs of a general” had discredited Italy’s armed forces, and said disciplinary proceedings would be opened.

Crosetto is one of the co-founders of Brothers of Italy party. On television channel Rete4, Vannacci defended himself, saying he had not expected the firestorm for a book that expressed “my thoughts, without offending anyone”.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2023