“Lausanne knowingly honored Mussolini”

Fascism in Lausanne –

“Mussolini was knowingly honored”

Head of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research in Ethics, Nadja Eggert discusses the honorary doctorate awarded to the dictator.

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How did the University of Lausanne come to award this diploma, this famous honorary doctorate, to Mussolini in 1937?

It is an initiative that is launched by the director of the School of Social and Political Sciences, Pasquale Boninsegni and the vice-director who is Arnold Reymond. Both, at least the first, have known fascist tendencies. Boninsegni is in contact with Benito Mussolini – he informs him of the steps taken – and it is he who suggests that his school award him this title. The reason given is that Mussolini was a student in 1903-1905 at UNIL. Research shows that he would have taken some courses, but not on a regular basis. Before the 400^e anniversary of the University of Lausanne, Arnold Reymond therefore contacted “illustrious” former students to ask for participation. He contacted Mussolini, who responded positively by making a donation of 1000 francs. It’s a doctorate for the sake of honor who wishes to honor the good relations between Mussolini and UNIL, and more generally with Switzerland.

Even within the University, were there sympathizers of fascism at the end of the 1930s?

Absolutely! Within the University, but also more broadly. According to the procedure, the award of a title is done by a proposal to the University Commission. But first, Boninsegni and Reymond go through the Council of State, which is not necessary. It is then up to the University Council, made up of around ten people, and the SSP School Council to decide on this doctoral proposal. At all times, in all these instances, there is no real opposition. The only people to oppose are Jean Baup, liberal state councilor, and professors Georges Bonnard – who abstains – and Jean Wintsch.

So it’s an honorary doctorate awarded above all to highlight celebrities who have graduated from the University…

There is a philo-fascist context in Switzerland, in the canton of Vaud and within the University of Lausanne, which honors a character whose actions we know. We not only honor a person but their political project.

Do the opponents keep silent or do they abstain?

The problem is that the archives are incomplete. Pages seem to be missing, meeting minutes are often terse. There is ultimately little information on the oppositions. Now, as soon as information about the doctorate is announced in the press, several people convey their opposition to the rectorate. These letters are accessible.

So doubts are expressed very early on, but at what point does the doctorate resurface, when does it become a problem again?

Very early. From requested the withdrawal of the title and research work around its attribution. Then, in 1987, at the time of the 450^e anniversary of the University, a petition will formally request the publication of all documents and the cancellation of the degree. Rector Pierre Ducrey will lead this compilation with Olivier Robert. Finally there is a petition filed in 2022, by a committee bringing together various Swiss and Italian associations.

How can we explain the longevity of this file?

A first reason is that there is no legal basis which allows the title to be withdrawn. There are currently no withdrawal conditions. This reason had already been cited in 1987. But it must be emphasized that this title is unique. More generally, when a title is revoked, it is generally argued that inappropriate behavior was not known at the time of granting. However, this is not the case here. In the case of Mussolini we knew exactly to whom we were giving this title. We know his internal policy, the violence against opponents, and we are aware of his colonization policy and the crimes committed in Ethiopia or Libya… However, Mussolini is upset when he learns that the announcement of his title arouses negative reactions in the Swiss press. He will want to refuse the title. It will take the good care of the Swiss embassy in Rome to put things right. Behind this title, there is therefore the involvement of the Vaudois and federal authorities.

In a way, you would almost have to not take out this doctorate so as not to erase it, right?

I don’t know, it remains a very unique and complex story. Will removal lead to erasure? What is certain is that this doctorate questions and challenges. It therefore seems important to allow each generation to appropriate this history according to their present. If there were to be a legislative change providing for withdrawal procedures and a democratic debate took place, we might or might want to withdraw it, this time with full knowledge of the facts.

Ultimately, it’s a superb object for asking ethical questions…

Absolutely. Removing the title carries the risk of closing the door too soon, while there is still research to be carried out. It is important that future generations can address this issue. In our report, we relied on one of the pillars of restorative justice, the need to inform. Today we have an institutional and collective responsibility: to explain and understand this past, and to understand that we are not safe even today from honoring again a person who will no longer be honorable in the near or distant future. . Understanding the mechanisms of 1937 also means ensuring not to repeat them and understanding the present.