Massimo Tartaglia, the man who today hit the Italian PM in the face has no political affiliation.UPDATE: Video of the aggression.
According to Italian press agency Ansa, the man (photo) who whacked Berlusconi in the face at a Milan rally is not a member of any political organisation.
Initial reactions from Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition partners suggested that the Opposition was to blame for their alleged "hatred and criminalisation" of the Italian tycoon and Prime Minister.
However, it turns out Massimo Tartaglia, the 42-year-old aggressor, has no political affiliation, no criminal record and has a history of mental problems as he's been under psychiatric treatment for over ten years.
It therefore appears like an isolated act of folly as opposed to a politically motivated aggression.
Many in Italy fear that today's incident may pave the way for the introduction of a series of emergency measures, including an overhaul of the post WWII Italian constitution, something the Italian Prime Minister and his right-wing coalition have been persistently calling for in the last few weeks.
Antonio Di Pietro, one of Italy's most outspoken opposition leaders, said: "I never condone violence, ever. Yet Berlusconi, with his behaviour and couldn't-care-less-like attitude, is effectively instigating violence". The MP added: "I maintain we all deplore and condemn the aggression on the Prime Minister. To say the least! However", Mr Di Pietro continued, "this cannot and should not excuse nor justify the spiralling exasperation that this administration's lack of social and economic policies is causing amongst thousands of workers and families [in Italy]".
Mr Di Pietro's accusations were thrown back at him by members of Mr Berlusconi's coalition as evidence that the opposition are to blame for the escalating tension in the country.
According to Father Federico Lombardi, a spokesperson for the Vatican, "this goes to show the real risk that verbal violence can be followed by factual violence".
Il Giornale, owned by Silvio Berlusconi's family and Italy's main pro-government daily, reports the reaction of some of Berlusconi's supporters in the crowd. "It's all Di Pietro's fault", some shouted, calling for the "arrest" of the Opposition's most outspoken MP.
More on the aggression on Berlusconi here.Initial reactions from Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition partners suggested that the Opposition was to blame for their alleged "hatred and criminalisation" of the Italian tycoon and Prime Minister.
However, it turns out Massimo Tartaglia, the 42-year-old aggressor, has no political affiliation, no criminal record and has a history of mental problems as he's been under psychiatric treatment for over ten years.
It therefore appears like an isolated act of folly as opposed to a politically motivated aggression.
Many in Italy fear that today's incident may pave the way for the introduction of a series of emergency measures, including an overhaul of the post WWII Italian constitution, something the Italian Prime Minister and his right-wing coalition have been persistently calling for in the last few weeks.
Antonio Di Pietro, one of Italy's most outspoken opposition leaders, said: "I never condone violence, ever. Yet Berlusconi, with his behaviour and couldn't-care-less-like attitude, is effectively instigating violence". The MP added: "I maintain we all deplore and condemn the aggression on the Prime Minister. To say the least! However", Mr Di Pietro continued, "this cannot and should not excuse nor justify the spiralling exasperation that this administration's lack of social and economic policies is causing amongst thousands of workers and families [in Italy]".
Mr Di Pietro's accusations were thrown back at him by members of Mr Berlusconi's coalition as evidence that the opposition are to blame for the escalating tension in the country.
According to Father Federico Lombardi, a spokesperson for the Vatican, "this goes to show the real risk that verbal violence can be followed by factual violence".
Il Giornale, owned by Silvio Berlusconi's family and Italy's main pro-government daily, reports the reaction of some of Berlusconi's supporters in the crowd. "It's all Di Pietro's fault", some shouted, calling for the "arrest" of the Opposition's most outspoken MP.
Read more about Italy's right-wing policies here, here and here.
1 comment:
I don't like Berlusconi but I don't like the violence either.
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