ITALY announces fascist illiberal measures: new rules on marches and web sites

"They are measures we are considering - said Maroni - to ensure that citizens and those who have institutional responsibilities of being able to perform its work quietly." But the minister declined to detail: "I have said that measures are being considered but I will not say what: I'll say it first to the Council of Ministers, being sensitive measures that relate to the sensitive area such as freedom of expression and the web manifestation, though in open spaces, public ". According to Maroni is in any case necessary to "find a balance between freedom of expression of their thoughts during the election campaign and to express their criticism. All these are rules that we are evaluating to see if it needs what it needs in the light of what is happening these days. "



The Minister of Interior announced new rules for the study of events and Web
and suggests the application to these fields of the measures against hooliganism
Maroni: "New rules on marches and sites


Earlier, in a speech to the Parliament, Maroni had referred to the controversy created by the network of sites attack to Berlusconi: "We will evaluate suitable solutions to be presented at the next Council of Ministers" to allow "the darkness of the sites who spread messages of real provocation to commit a crime ". And he added: "In respect of those who use social networks with peaceful purposes, the government is doing in-depth technical legislation to more effectively combat violent incidents in public events" in compliance with existing rules and the "lines" of those taken to prevent violence in stadiums. "Maroni said he would" accept the invitation of President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, why stop the dangerous aggravation of the political debate and return to a civil confrontation between the parties. "

In the discussion Maroni's position was challenged by Casini. "Woe to promote illiberal measures," said UDC leader: "Existing laws already allow for the punishment of all violations. In the U.S., Obama receives continuing harassment over the Internet, but nobody is planning to censor the Net."


Many British newspapers show that Berlusconi is strengthened by the attack in Milan
and suggests that it might "use the Parliament to introduce laws" in favor
"Italy is at risk of political violence"
the fears of the foreign press. Several papers suggest a return to a situation like that of the years of lead


LONDON - The attack on Silvio Berlusconi "divide Italy" and reviving the specter of a new era of political violence. And 'This is the opinion of the international press this morning that aggression pays great importance to the Italian prime minister and the consequences of foolish gesture dell'assalitore. The prevailing view of the foreign media is that the episode could end up doing strengthen Berlusconi back in the polls and pushing to approve new laws to consolidate his power or even to call early elections. But there is also a risk, we identified several foreign newspapers, that the attack triggers a return to widespread violence and terrorism of the years of lead.

"The attack on Berlusconi turns political tensions in an Italy increasingly frantic and divided in assigning the responsibility of today's climate of hatred," writes the Financial Times. Recriminations between the two sides illustrate "polarizing nature" of the third term of office of prime minister - continues the financial daily - providing that the attack will strengthen the determination of the leader of a center-right "to use the Parliament to introduce new laws to protect him from the processes after the Constitutional Court stripped him of immunity. " Given Berlusconi's ability to make unexpected moves, concludes the article, there would not be surprised if the prime minister, left the hospital, "forgave his assailant."

Similar comment Herald Tribune international edition of The New York Times. "The attack could signal the beginning of a new cycle of political violence, marked by terrorist actions like those that shook Italy in the '70s and early '80s," says the American newspaper, quoting of the words President Napolitano on "dangerous aggravation of the political climate" that must be stopped to "prevent the development of forms of violence that the Italians have known before." Even the Herald Tribune recorded a second possibility: that the attack still increases the popularity of Berlusconi and his coalition.

The London Times, in a brief editorial by Rome correspondent Richard Owen, trace a historical parallel in this regard: "It may be that Berlusconi translate the episode to his advantage, a bit 'as did Benito Mussolini when an Irish woman named Violet Gibson shot in 1926, injuring his nose. She was declared insane and Mussolini conquered authoritarian powers. " The article noted that supporters of Berlusconi might be tempted to exploit the generous solidarity from attack to pass a new law giving immunity from prosecution to Premier, "and could then call early elections to consolidate his grip on power" .

Another British newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, writes that "the images with the face of Premier insaguinato could help him when it will defend itself against accusations against him by his detractors." And the Guardian of London wonders if the prime minister, "who has a cure of his own legendary image, try to hide the damage of injuries to the face or flaunted his scars as an example of the alleged savagery of his opponents." The daily challenges Labor Professor James Watson, professor of political science at American University of Rome, who said: "Now the opposition will be difficult to separate the personal sympathy for a leader that has been split face institutional antipathy toward what is Berlusconi. As for the danger that Italy will become the prey of a new spiral of violence, Professor Watson told the Guardian: "I do not think we are close, less than a worsening of social situation and in particular that work, but we are closer (violence) than we were before. "

The Independent newspaper in an editorial, but notes that "in a normal country, the focus would be focused on the fact that dozens of bodyguards were unable to protect" the prime minister, while in Italy the problem has not for the time being hotly disputed, overtaken by political skirmishes over resposanbilità and consequences of the attack.

Across the Atlantic, the New York Times writes that the attack on Berlusconi "suggests an examination of conscience" and the Wall Street Journal says that many Italians blame the aggression "in the climate of political vitriol."