The news seems to be wending its way around the world that Italy’s prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was attacked while he was leaving a political rally in Milan, Italy yesterday. Facts are still coming in and a fake Facebook appears to have been set up too.
Initial reports were that Berlusconi had been punched. Now though, it looks as though he was hit by what is being widely reported as being a souvenir representation of Milan’s Duomo cathedral.
The object, which was made of metal, injured Berlusconi’s face and cracked one or more teeth. Altough it is still very early on, Berlusconi’s doctor has stated that the injuries sustained were serious. It expected to take Berlusconi around three weeks to recover from his injuries.
Silvio Berlusconi is in Hospital
Berlusconi’s doctor stated too that immediately after the incident Berlusconi showed concern for the person who assaulted him, as well as signalling to his supporters that he was OK.
Berlusconi’s aggressor was a 42 year old man, Massimo Tartaglia, who, it is understood, has a history of mental health problems. In addition to the souvenir Tartaglia threw at Berlusconi, Tartaglia apparently had another in his pocket and a container of pepper spray.
Reports state that Tartaglia would have been lynched had he not been taken from the scene by police and Berlusconi’s bodyguards. The analysis has now started, even if many of the facts are by no means clear just yet.
Threat to Democracy
Sunday evening’s television was full of news of the affair. While initial indications are that the assault may well have been the act of someone who is mentally imbalanced, this has not stopped many of Italy’s politicians from coming up with grandiose phrases concerning threats to democracy in Italy. The word ‘terrorism’ has been employed too by Berlusconi supporter Umberto Bossi.
Update 14 December 19:05 Italian time
Much mention is being made of a ‘climate of hate‘ existing in Italy – this is a little at odds with the assault on Berlusconi which was carried out by an apparently mentally unstable individual and somewhat goes against Berlusconi’s own claims that he is the best prime minister Italy has had in 150 years.
It is almost as if someone is thinking of using the attack as a good reason to clamp down on anti-Berlusconi supporters. After all, one would not make so much of a random attack made by a mentally unstable person, now would one?
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Berlusconi reportedly does not understand why people hate him.
New FaceBook Groups – Update 14 December 2009 9:35am
On Facebook several groups have been set up – some in support of the action of Tartaglia, however by far the biggest group, with nearly 380,000 members is one which has been created by not so much Berlusconi supporters, as perhaps those against acts of violence – Sosteniamo SILVIO BERLUSCONI contro i FAN di massimo tartaglia
There is something a little odd though – as there seem to be a huge number of members- and there are people I know. People I would not have expected to have seen in such a group. I’m checking with one to see if he is a genuine member, or was added without his knowing.
Fake Facebook Group
UPDATE 14 December 2009 10:10: I’ve been told that the new group is not so new after all – it’s an old Facebook group which has been renamed. Not all the members listed are genuine – they joined another group which had a different perpose initially.
The Danger of Facebook Groups and Pages
This is a little worrying.
Let’s say I set up a Facebook group called ‘Be Nice to Children’ – get lots of members, and then change the name of the group to ‘Klu Klux Klan Forever’ – and you will be a member/ fan! Would you be happy? I think not.
Here is some more on the fake Facebook page from Blog from Italy: Fake Silvio Berlusconi Facebook Page
Images of the Attack
Images of the incident can be viewed here: In pictures: Silvio Berlusconi attack – BBC
Spiral of Violence
Both yesterday and today other protests against the Berlusconi government were being held, and Italy’s president Napolitano seems to be concerned that a ‘spiral of violence‘ needs to be halted.
Additionally, Berlusconi has been facing bad publicity over what some are viewing as attempts to avoid court cases.
Suggestions coming from a mafia turncoat in court case concerning a close associate of Berlusconi associate that Berlusconi may have mafia connections may well have compounded negative feelings towards Italy’s current prime minister.
Last week a ‘No-Berlusconi day‘ was held in Italy and a substantial number of people attended a rally in Rome.
There does seem to be quite a wall of bad feeling facing Silvio Berlusconi at the moment.
Was the Sunday Assault Premeditated?
One of the questions being asked is whether the assault was premeditated, however, it is being stated at the moment that Berlusconi’s aggressor, Tartaglia, acted alone, and he was not known to police. Nor did he belong to any anti-Berlusconi group. However, nothing is too clear yet.
The father of Massimo Tartaglia called Silvio Berlusconi to apologise for his son’s actions – according to press reports. Tartaglia’s father is a company owner, and he stated that his son’s action was the result of the negative climate in Italy at the moment. Massimo Tartaglia invented a number of art installations which were mentioned in newspapers around 15 years ago.
Massimo Tartaglia, Berlusconi’s attacker is still being interviewed by police.
I’ll update this post if anything more concrete comes to light.
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After watching the video Berlusconi getting attacked, I have to say the whole situation looked pretty scary — more like a mad mob than a rally
http://shockdom.com/open/esse/files/2009/12/duomotrepiede.jpg
Very clever, Cristian!
Merry regards,
Alex
For those not in the know, Cristian’s cartoon alludes to the fact that a while back Silvio Berlusconi was hit with a camera tripod by someone.
It’s becoming a kind of mid-term tradition. USA has mid-term elections and we don’t, so we needed to come up with something to fill the gap.
By the way, iI don’t want to take credit for the picture, it arrived me by email this morning. I should have wrote it but I was in hurry and didn’t think about it.
I am shocked and very angry at whoever did this terrible deed, I am very sorry for Silvio Berlusconi, wish him a speedy recovery, in love Elena from Israel.
Good of you to say so, Elena.
Knowing Berlusconi, he’ll be up and about in no time at all.
Best,
Alex
Alex Roe do you feel good about that
medson – Do I feel good? – Yes, for the man as a man, I do. For Italy though, I’m not so sure. Berlusconi has done an awful lot to raise Italy’s profile worldwide – trouble is though, that most of the press has been negative – this is not good for Italy.
Perhaps Berlusconi might realise this and step down – doubt it though. Another huge problem is that there is no real alternative to Berlusconi -Fini perhaps – but he’s old school and it’s the old school types who don’t seem to be able to sort Italy out.
Best,
Alex
The are alternatives to Berlusconi. That there are not, is a myth perpetuated by the likes of him, his followers and much of the media. Its seems that, having repeated it often enough, it has now become received wisdom. This is very dangerous.
A government that incites fear and violence itself (for instance, towards immigrants) should not be surprised when it is itself at the receiving end of some of this.
The revolution starts on Monday when i arrive in Milan.
Don’t be sorry, but rather watch the video of the attack in slow motion and you’ll find out something interesting.
OK Max – I’ll watch a video – there are several – which should I watch? Got a link??
I know some people think the attack was a put up job – ie not real.
Thanks,
Alex
i personally feel sad that italians regardless the state of mind can behave that way.it is shameful to attack a leader that way even in Africa where coups and assassination attempts are common. it is sad. critise your Prime Minister in a maner he would realise where he goes wrong and not that way.
thanks for the media to have shown the world his footage
Zambia.
Hi Medson – great to get a comment from Zambia!
You are right – violence is not good – in any shape or form. But we seem to all forget, I think, that physiological violence can be as damaging as its physical equivalent. One could argue that what with Berlusconi calling everyone who criticises him a commie he may have made people think that he is attacking them for merely thinking differently – people may feel that his attacks are violent physiologically.
Sometimes people respond to physiological violence with physical violence -because they feel they have no alternative. The man Tartaglia who attacked Berlusconi may perhaps fall into this category – and his weak mental condition would not have helped either.
Provocative verbal attacks can lead to violence -this is nothing new.
Yes, the attack was shameful – but perhaps it will make Berlusconi stop and think the next time before he opens his mouth. Personally I doubt it – measures will be take to ensure that only one person or group is free to express their opinions in Italy.
Thanks for commenting.
Best regards,
Alex
Hi David – I’m sure somebody will be waiting for you!
Yes, there are some alternatives to Mr B – not many seem to be what Italy needs though – not from what I’ve seen.
A couple of younger politicos are rising through the ranks – but it’s worse than dead man’s shoes here in political circles – almost – unless you are a member of Berlusconi’s party – and being good looking (and female) helps too!
Hope you are not banned too quickly! You sound subversive!
Christmas cheers!
Alex