(By Denis Greenan). (ANSA) - Palermo, March 27 - Franco Battiato was sacked Wednesday as Sicily tourism chief after he caused an outcry Tuesday by saying parliament was "full of whores". The acclaimed singer-songwriter sparked cross-party indignation when he told the European Parliament that some Italian MPs would be prepared to "do anything" and that it would be better "if they opened a brothel". Sicilian-born Battiato failed to defuse the row with a clarification that he had been referring to both men and women in past parliaments and not the recently elected one. Sicily's openly gay centre-left Governor Rosario Crocetta initially reacted by suggesting provocative remarks were only to be expected from creative types. "Franco is an artist, like Dali' or Picasso", he said. But Crocetta buckled to pressure Wednesday and fired the internationally renowned musician after apologising for his appointee's "unacceptable" statements. Battiato's controversial remarks came during an EP meeting dedicated to "new paths between tourism and culture in Sicily". "This Italy sucks," he said.
"What is happening in Italy is a biblical prophecy: we speak the same language but we don't understand each other.
It's unacceptable.
At least we are honest, although I'm not keen on politics. "Those whores who are in parliament would do anything.
It's unacceptable.
They should open a brothel instead". Newly appointed House Speaker Laura Boldrini said Battiato's words were "vulgar and offensive".
"I reject Battiato's insults directed against parliament's dignity," she said, and on Wednesday backed Crocetta's decision "as the right thing to do". Senate Speaker Pietro Grasso had already said Tuesday he would voice parliament's "unease" to Crocetta while Equal Opportunities Minister Elsa Fornero said "Battiato has offended women and Italy's institutions". Rita Borsellino, sister of slain anti-Mafia magistrate Paolo Borsellino and a prominent Sicilian lawmaker for the centre-left Democratic Party, called for Battiato to resign while Daniela Santanche' of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom Party said "he should go back to being a singer-songwriter". In an interview with La Repubblica daily Wednesday, Battiato said: "Whores, yes, I said that.
I could have said prostitutes.
Perhaps people might not like the term but how else would you call the women, or men, who provide services for money?". "I wasn't just referring to women but men too," he insisted. "I was talking about a warped part of parliament which would do anything for power.
Do you want to deny that this is so?".
The songwriter, who played in London on Monday and was preparing for a show at Brussels Palais des Beaux Arts later this week, has regularly castigated the alleged ignorance and lack of values of Italian society and politics.
In 1992 his song 'Povera Patria' became an anthem denouncing the murders of crusading anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Borsellino by massive Cosa Nostra bombs.
As well as being one of Italy's most influential singer-songwriters, Battiato, 68, is a composer, filmmaker and, under the pseudonym Suphan Barzani, also a painter.
His songs contain esoteric, philosophical and religious themes. He has been one of the most popular pop singer-songwriters in Italy for decades.
Battiato's unique sound, song-crafting and especially his lyrics, often containing philosophical, religious, and culturally exotic references, earned him a unique spot on Italy's music scene, and the nickname of 'Il Maestro' (The Master or The Teacher). At the beginning of his career, in the 70s and early 80s, his work stood out sharply against the rest of Italian pop music with a sarcastic, provocative, and dark attitude. His lyrics often attacked ignorance, lack of professionalism, and the allegedly trite expectations of popular audiences, including his own public. Battiato's oeuvre includes songwriting and joint production efforts with several Italian and international musicians and pop singers, including a long-lasting professional relationship with Italian singer Alice. His collaborations from 1994 onward with the nihilistic-cynical philosopher Manlio Sgalambro have added lyrical references to Emil Cioran, Friedrich Nietzsche and other anarchistic thinkers. Together with Alice, Battiato represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 1984 with the song 'I treni di Tozeur'.