A member of the Italian parliament and supporter of the anti-immigration Northern League party said Italy's first black female minister resembles an "orangutan."
Roberto Calderoli, vice president of Italy's Senate, said on Saturday at a political rally in the northern town of Treviglio: "I love animals - bears and wolves, as everyone knows - but when I see the pictures of Kyenge I cannot but think of, even if I'm not saying she is one, the features of an orangutan."
Cecile Kyenge, an Italian citizen born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been called numerous racial slurs since being appointed integration minister in April, but it did not stop Calderoli from being just as insensitive.
According to Aljazeera, Calderoli claims the success of Kyenge encouraged "illegal immigrants" to come to Italy, and she should be a minister "in her own country."
The remarks even upset members of Calderoli's own party, and some believe he should resign as Senate vice president.
Prime Minister Enrico Letta release an official statement on Twitter, stating Calderoli's comments were intolerable.
"They go beyond all limits. Full solidarity and support to Cecile. Forward with your and our work," Letta said.
Avanti Cecile col tuo lavoro! Siamo con te. Inaccettabili oltre ogni limite le parole di Calderoli. @ckyenge
— Enrico Letta (@EnricoLetta) July 14, 2013
On Sunday, Calderoli stated he had no intention of resigning, but offered an apology, according to Aljazeera.
"I did not mean to offend and if minister Kyenge was offended I am sorry, but my comment was made within a much broader political speech that criticised the minister and her policies," Calderoli said.
Multiple reports confirm Calderoli did call Kyenge to offer a more personal apology. Before the apologies, Kyenge told AGI news agency Calderoli should think about his responsibility as a member of the parliament.
"I don't want to address Calderoli the person, but as a representative of an institution: reflect on what you want to represent through your language," Kyenge told AGI.
Kyenge is working to make it easier for immigrants to gain citizenship, and supports the law that would automatically make anyone born on Italian soil a citizen.
