Italy lower house elects pro-Putin right-winger as speaker

Deputy Federal Secretary of the League party Lorenzo Fontana reacts after being elected as the new speaker of the lower House of Parliament, in Rome, Italy, October 14, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) -A pro-Russia, anti-gay politician was elected speaker of Italy's lower house of parliament on Friday, a day after a nationalist lawmaker who collects fascist memorabilia became speaker of the Senate.

The twin votes followed last month's parliamentary election which was won by a trio of conservative parties - Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy, Matteo Salvini's League and Forza Italia, which is led by former premier Silvio Berlusconi.