Opponents to Berlusconi: You asked for it

The Prime Minister’s supporters, led by defence minister Ignazio La Russa, accused the left of fomenting “an atmosphere of hatred”. But critics pointed out that in the rally that preceded the attack, the Prime Minister himself had railed at political opponents, unfriendly journalists and perceived enemies in the judiciary, shouting “Shame on you, shame on you!”

Rosy Bindi, an opposition politician and recipient of one of Berlusconi’s sexist jibes, further increased political tensions when she said the prime minister “should not play the victim” and added that he was “one of the people who had created a climate of violence”.

Antonio di Pietro, leader of a small opposition party and one of Berlusconi’s most unforgiving critics, said his firm condemnation of the attack “cannot and must not justify and legitimate the total abandonment in which the government has left the weakest social segment.” He went on: “I share the indignation of citizens who every day see a premier who blocks parliament to pass laws which serve him and only him, while millions of citizens lose their jobs and struggle to make ends meet.”