Giancarlo Gentilini, the “Lion of Treviso” and de facto mayor of this economic dynamo in north-east Italy, proudly displays a lifetime of memorabilia in his palatial office, including a framed copy of his faded Mussolini youth league identity card.

Now nearly 80 years old and a veteran of the rightwing Northern League – a partner in the national coalition government – Mr Gentilini has come to epitomise the approach of Italy’s post-fascists towards immigrants, homosexuals, drunks and prostitutes.