Giorgia Meloni makes the victory sign as she meets reporters in Rome's Pantheon Square, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The pregnant politician has announced her candidacy for Rome's mayor, denouncing the men who said she should stay home and be a "mamma" and vowing to beat them at the polls. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
ROME (AP) - A pregnant Italian politician has announced her candidacy to become Rome's next mayor, denouncing the men who said she should stay home and be a "mamma" and vowing to beat them at the polls.
Giorgia Meloni, a former protege of Silvio Berlusconi, recalled during her chaotic campaign announcement Wednesday that the symbol of Rome itself is a she-wolf nursing twins.
In recent days, both Berlusconi and his candidate for mayor, Guido Bertolaso, have said Meloni should concentrate on being a mother and not join the race.
Meloni, who headed Berlusconi's youth movement but split with him, said she would have preferred to have enjoyed her pregnancy without campaigning: "But what I strongly believe is that no man can tell a woman what she can and cannot do during her pregnancy."
FILE -- In this file photo taken on July 9, 2009, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, right, shares a word with Giorgia Meloni in L'Aquila, Italy. on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Guido Bertolaso, the former head of Italyâs Civil Protection agency, said this week that possible challenger Giorgia Meloni ââshould be a momââ and not join the ââfierce electoral campaign,ââ which would require her to take care of ââpotholes and dirtiness while she nurses.ââ(AP Photo/Stefano Rellandini, Pool)
The Associated Press
Giorgia Meloni makes the victory sign as she meets reporters in Rome's Pantheon Square, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The pregnant politician has announced her candidacy for Rome's mayor, denouncing the men who said she should stay home and be a "mamma" and vowing to beat them at the polls. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
Giorgia Meloni, bottom right, arrives in Rome's Pantheon Square to meet reporters, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The pregnant politician has announced her candidacy for Rome's mayor, denouncing the men who said she should stay home and be a "mamma" and vowing to beat them at the polls. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
Giorgia Meloni talks with reporters in Rome's Pantheon Square, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The pregnant politician has announced her candidacy for Rome's mayor, denouncing the men who said she should stay home and be a "mamma" and vowing to beat them at the polls. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press