Nic: More like Wilhelm derBla lasiö

GOP mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis mocked Mayor de Blasio on Thursday, saying he should go back to using his given German name after his refusal to defend statues of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

The Staten Island assemblywoman made the jab while standing under the explorer’s statue in Columbus Circle, which has become the focal point of a cultural battle after Hizzoner said he would appoint a commission to recommend hateful city monuments for removal.

“I really think Bill de Blasio should go back to using his birth name of Warren Wilhelm, because he obviously doesn’t have the heart and soul of an Italian,’’ Malliotakis (right) said of de Blasio, who is half-Italian.

Malliotakis, who is half-Greek and half-Cuban, has said Columbus statues should stay.

De Blasio, who adopted his ItalianAmerican mother’s maiden name as a young man, has strongly embraced his Italian heritage, evenn visiting his ancestors’ homes in Italyly during his first year as mayor.

He has said Columbuss is a “com-complex” historical figure.

De Blasio’s campaign communi-communications director, Monicaica Klein, called Malliotakis’ remarkark “vile.”

“This is what Trump-style campaigning looks like in New York City,” Klein said. “We arere dis-disappointed, but sadly not ot surprised.”