Fears for Berlusconi after vicious assault
Wednesday December 16 2009
Silvio Berlusconi's aides have expressed concern for his morale after a protester smashed a heavy statuette into his face.
The normally ebullient Italian prime minister, who in recent months has described himself as "Superman", was left badly shaken and "saddened" by the assault, supporters said.
Mr Berlusconi likens himself to a "bullfighter" fending off his enemies in the press and opposition. But his confidence appears to have taken a serious knock from the attack, which happened after a political rally in Milan on Sunday.
The 73-year-old leader cancelled plans to attend the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this week and is under doctors' orders to restrict his public appearances until the New Year.
He is expected to be released from Milan's San Raffaele hospital tomorrow. He was left with a broken nose, two damaged teeth and deep cuts to his face when an electronics engineer, Massimo Tartaglia (42), who has a history of mental illness, threw a souvenir of Milan's famous cathedral at him.
Saddened
"Physically, he is eating normally, but with a bit of difficulty," said his personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, who added that the premier had been "saddened" by the incident.
In his first public comment on the attack yesterday, Mr Berlusconi posted a brief, oddly worded message on his party's website in which he said: "Everyone needs to be calm and safe. Love always prevails over envy and hate."
Mr Tartaglia sent a letter to Mr Berlusconi apologising for what he called a "superficial, cowardly and inconsiderate act".
He faces up to five years in prison if convicted of assaulting the leader, with a judge expected to rule tomorrow on whether he should be sent to a psychiatric hospital or kept on remand. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Nick Squires in Rome
Irish Independent
