Scuffles in Italian parliament: Chaos erupts over regional autonomy
A scuffle and brawl broke out between parliamentarians in the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Recordings of this incident are being analyzed to determine who initiated the altercation, who delivered blows, and who suffered injuries. One of the deputies denies any wrongdoing and claims he tried to hit his opponent but missed.
13 June 2024 15:12
"Wild West in the House" - this is how the photos and videos of the scuffle in the Italian parliament were commented on by Thursday’s "La Stampa".
ADNKronos agency writes that VAR, a video verification system, is needed in the parliamentary chamber, as on a football pitch. The agency reports that many recordings exist, and what can be seen on them has caused controversy and consternation.
The brawl in Palazzo Madama in Rome occurred during a session on the legislative autonomy of regions.
"Discussion" Italian-style. It started with a flag
The initial scene when opposition Five Star Movement deputy Leonardo Donno, holding the Italian flag, approaches Roberto Calderoli, the Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomy from the League, and tries to forcefully hand it to him is clearly visible in all the recordings.
Then other League deputies rush towards Donno, attempting to pull him away from the minister. A scuffle ensues, chaos erupts, and the situation was only brought under control by parliamentary staff.
"Did he fall? It was a show"
Donno claims that he was attacked by another League politician, Igor Iezzi. Iezzi denies this, though he admits that he had such intentions.
"I tried to nudge him, but I missed. Donno wanted to attack Calderoli, and I reacted. I walked away, and he fell," says Iezzi.
His political opponent considers that the Five Star Movement politician fell to be a "performance." Donno, on the other hand, asserts that he was struck and could not breathe. He left the chamber in a wheelchair and underwent examinations.
The entire situation was described by the Movement as "shameful." The League responds that deputy Donno acted "provocatively."
The recordings have been sent to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana. The footage of the scuffle is varied, and their analysis is ongoing.
Parliament like a boxing ring. Brawls in Georgia and Taiwan
The Italian parliamentary chamber is not the only place such dramatic scenes have occurred. In May, a similar incident happened in Georgia. The Georgian parliament convened for a plenary session to finally adopt a controversial bill on the transparency of foreign influence in the third reading, known as the Foreign Agents Law. During the session, a brawl broke out between deputies.
A few days later, a debate on the reform of the Taiwanese parliament turned into a brawl. The deputies fought, pushed, and shouted. The event occurred a few days before President-elect Lai Ching-te's inauguration.
These recordings also went online.
