Paris, December 14: Doctors have ordered Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to spend a second night in hospital after an attack that left him with a broken nose and two teeth knocked out.
Mr Berlusconi’s first request today was to see the front-page coverage of the attack with a replica of Milan cathedral, that newspapers said highlighted political tensions in the country.
The 73-year-old billionaire’s personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said Mr Berlusconi would stay in hospital at least until at least tomorrow and would need about three weeks to recover from the assault by a man said to have a history of mental problems.
Already battling revelations over his private life and divisions within his centre-right coalition, but attack brought some public sympathy for Mr Berlusconi.
A banner outside Milan’s San Rafaele Hospital said: “Prime Minister Berlusconi, get well soon. Real Italians are always with you,” ANSA news agency reported.
His alleged assailant, 42-year-old Massimo Tartaglia, was in an isolation cell in police custody.
Police, who had to protect Mr Tartaglia from an angry crowd as they detained him, say the suspect has a history of mental illness.
Mr Tartaglia was also carrying a crucifix and tear gas, ANSA reported.
His father, “upset” over the attack, tried to telephone Mr Berlusconi in hospital but could not get through, the agency added.
Mr Berlusconi’s bloodied face dominated Italian newspapers today, with even media that oppose the conservative Prime Minister condemning the incident and the political atmosphere in Italy.
“Constitutional violence” was the headline on the Berlusconi family’s Il Giornale newspaper.
“The assailant is mad but the moral instigators are known even among some centre-right politicians,” said the daily.
The left-wing La Repubblica said the attack “highlights the degradation of the political climate in Italy.”
“Friends and enemies, partisans and opponents must show solidarity” with Mr Berlusconi.
“What is at stake is nothing less than liberty,” it said.
Corriere della Sera said there is a “poisoned climate” in Italy.
“Political hate is a monster which when unleashed is difficult to control,” said a commentary in the centrist paper.
Before the attack, scuffles broke out after about 10 people jeered Mr Berlusconi at the rally of his People of Freedom party yesterday, calling him a “clown”.
He shouted back at them “shame on you”, drowning them out with the help of the sound system.
—Agencies