MPs Fight in Italy Parliament Ahead of G7 Summit

On Wednesday evening, a fight broke out in the Italian parliament. The attack started when Leonardo Donno, a deputy from the Five Star Movement (MS5), tried to tie an Italian flag around the neck of Roberto Calderoli, the regional affairs minister.

Reason Behind the Fight

Donno’s action was a protest against the government's plan to grant more autonomy to certain regions. In response to Donno's action, deputies from Calderoli's League party left their benches and attacked Donno. This led to a fight which involved around 20 people.

Consequences of the Fight

Donno was injured during the attack and had to be taken to the hospital in a wheelchair. The incident caused widespread reactions from political leaders and dominated the headlines in Italian newspapers.

Public and Political Reactions

La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper, described the incident as a reminder of the post-World War I. Corriere della Sera, another leading daily, said the parliament had turned into a "boxing ring."

Lawmakers from the League and the Brothers of Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, accused Donno of provoking the incident and even faking his injuries. On the other hand, the MS5 called the attack "serious and shameful" and demanded immediate action. Giuseppe Conte, the leader of MS5, wrote on the social media platform, "Violence comes from the benches of the Meloni majority... Shame."

Call for Higher Standards

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized the fact that lawmakers should set a better example. He said, "The chamber is not a boxing ring... it's not fisticuffs that solve political problems."

The fight in the Italian parliament shows the strong disagreements and emotions about the government's plans for regional autonomy. It also brings up worries about how elected officials should behave and the need for them to set a good example.

-Prisha Jaiswal