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.