Mattarella gets standing ovation at Lower House

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 17 - Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Monday got a long standing ovation at the Lower House after Democratic Party (PD) whip Chiara Braga expressed solidarity to the head of State over accusations waged by Russia.
    Braga's expression of "solidarity" prompted all lawmakers to stand up and applaud Mattarella for about two minutes.
    Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said that Mattarella's comments at the University of Marseilles earlier this month comparing Moscow to Nazi Germany over its invasion of Ukraine will not go "without consequences".
    "During a lecture at an educational institution, he said he believed that Russia could be equated with the Third Reich," Russian news agency Ria Novosti quoted Zakharova as saying on Russian State TV.
    "This cannot, and will never, be left without consequences".
    Last week, Zakharova blasted Mattarella's speech, saying it featured "blasphemous inventions".
    Sources at the president's office said in response that Mattarella was absolutely serene, urging people to read the text of his speech.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni has said the attacks on Mattarella "offend the whole nation, which the Head of State represents.
    (ANSA).