The man arrested over the attack that left Silvio Berlusconi with a broken nose and two broken teeth has apologised to the Italian prime minister.In a letter sent through his lawyers on Tuesday, 42-year-old Massimo Tartiglia said that the assault with a souvenir statuette was a "superficial, cowardly and inconsiderate act". "I don't recognise myself," Tartaglia, who is reported to have a history of mental illness, said.He said he "acted alone [with no] form of militancy or political affiliation."
The man arrested over the attack that left Silvio Berlusconi with a broken nose and two broken teeth has apologised to the Italian prime minister.In a letter sent through his lawyers on Tuesday, 42-year-old Massimo Tartiglia said that the assault with a souvenir statuette was a "superficial, cowardly and inconsiderate act".
"I don't recognise myself," Tartaglia, who is reported to have a history of mental illness, said.He said he "acted alone [with no] form of militancy or political affiliation."
In his first message since an attack that left him in hospital, the Italian prime minister has told his supporters that love always triumphs over hate.The brief message from Silvio Berlusconi was posted on the website of his People of Freedom party. Mr Berlusconi, struck in the face by a model replica of Milan's cathedral after a rally in the city on Sunday, is to leave hospital on Wednesday. The object, flung from from close range, broke his nose and two teet
In his first message since an attack that left him in hospital, the Italian prime minister has told his supporters that love always triumphs over hate.
The brief message from Silvio Berlusconi was posted on the website of his People of Freedom party.
Mr Berlusconi, struck in the face by a model replica of Milan's cathedral after a rally in the city on Sunday, is to leave hospital on Wednesday.
The object, flung from from close range, broke his nose and two teet
In berlusconismo love-hate plays a key, paranoid role. Any criticism of Berlusconi is categorized as hate. Berlusconi only accepts unconditional love- and there are plenty of brainless or opportunistic fans eager to adore him.
This polarization of the body politics leaves no space for argumentation, critical thought or negotiated solutions. Berlusconi constantly argues that he will not speak to "an opposition that hates him" where he is the sole arbitrator of what defines love-hate. He is the sole custodian of the Truth.
Because of his legal trials, for which he is accused of grave crimes, he has increased the virulence of his attacks, culminating in his frankly seditious speech before the EPP Congress recently in which he claimed an absolute sovereignty to govern based on his fictitious popularity.
This evening his majority whip, Fabrizio Cicchitto, denounced " a network of hate" that armed the would-be assassin's hand, on the floor of parliament. He fingered out by name the purported conspirators in this imaginary plot. It's a list of proscription, enemies singled out by a P2 member and brandished in parliament. My solidarity goes to them for their vital, lucid, polemical stance in the defense of public reason and information.
