Opposition leader hospitalised after brawl in Italian parliament
July 8th, 2010 - 2:05 pm ICT by IANSRome, July 8 (IANS/AKI) An opposition politician was admitted to hospital here after a heated debate on funding new youth centres turned violent in the lower house of the Italian parliament.
Italy of Values leader Franco Barbato was left with a bruised and bloody eye Wednesday, allegedly after being punched in the face.
“My right eye was hurt. I was struck from behind and so I don’t know who injured me. I was surrounded by MPs, who the ushers tried unsuccessfully to hold back,” said Barbato.
During the brawl, a member of the ruling conservative People of Freedom party, Maurizio Bianconi, was reportedly heard screaming at Barbato: “You piece of sh*t”.
The brawl broke out as members were debating youth minister Giorgia Meloni’s bill, and Barbato, accused her of pushing the bill to advance her own political agenda.
“This is a very serious incident. I am referring it to the speaker’s office and to the whips,” said acting speaker, Rosy Bindi, who suspended the parliamentary session.
–IANS/AKI
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Tags: barbato, bloody eye, franco, freedom party, giorgia meloni, hospitalised, italian parliament, italy, kv, mj, opposition leader, opposition politician, parliament, parliamentary session, political agenda, rome, rosy bindi, ushers, whips, youth minister