Italians Riot After Prime Minister Gets Votes of Confidence
- Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:17pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ROME (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi pulled off another astonishing escape from the political dead, scraping through two confidence votes Tuesday in a dramatic parliamentary showdown. But the Italian leader’s hold on power remains precarious as his razor-thin victory makes political gridlock a near certainty – and violent street protests show growing unease with his rule.
Masked protesters torched cars and trash bins, smashed shop windows and clashed with police. Clouds of white tear gas and orange flares engulfed streets, as shops full of Christmas goods hurriedly closed down. Employees at one bank cowered in fear as a group of stone-throwing youths swept by.
Protesters rampaged in the the area around parliament and Berlusconi’s residence, which had been cordoned off by heavy police presence. By sundown, almost 100 people, both protesters and police, were reported injured, including about two dozen hospitalized. About 40 were reportedly taken into police custody.
The chaos followed speculation in recent weeks that the end of the Berlusconi era was near.
Weakened by sex scandals and a bitter breakup with his one-time closest ally, Berlusconi seemed destined to be sent packing. The split with Gianfranco Fini had eroded the premier’s once comfortable parliamentary majority and left him vulnerable in the lower house.
But Berlusconi battled back, as he has countless times when his political career seemed to be on the ropes. Tuesday’s drama confirmed his status as the ultimate political survivor – but he emerges from the battle severely weakened and one top opposition lawmaker called his success a “Pyrrhic victory.”
In the most dramatic and closest of the two tests, Berlusconi survived the no-confidence motion in the lower house by just three votes. Scuffles between lawmakers forced a brief suspension in the voting session.
Earlier in the day, Berlusconi had secured a more comfortable victory in a confidence vote at the Senate.
The vote’s slim margin means Berlusconi can no longer count on a secure parliamentary majority for passing legislation. Some experts predict he might resign in upcoming weeks, a move that could lead to early elections, which he hopes to win again.
Berlusconi survived Tuesday‘s challenge by exploiting rifts inside Fini’s camp – at the moment of truth, three defected – and managed to sway a handful of undecided lawmakers to his side. In the process, he drew accusations of vote-buying, amid claims of cash changing hands and favors lavished. Berlusconi’s allies reject the allegations.
“I’m not a survivor – I’m strong, robust,” a smiling Berlusconi joked after the vote.
Pressing his case before lawmakers on the eve of the showdown, the premier argued that his government had successfully worked to protect Italy from becoming engulfed in the eurozone’s debt crisis. He warned that political instability would hurt Italy as it fights for its economic future.
Italy is plagued by a high public debt level and slow growth. The country is still widely viewed as low-risk due to the low level of private debt, a relatively sound banking system, and experience in dealing with high public debt levels. Still, markets were closely monitoring the results of the votes; Italy’s main bourse closed little changed on Tuesday.
Berlusconi said after the vote that he would press ahead despite his uncertain majority in the lower house. “Even (President) Obama doesn’t have the majority in one of the chambers,” Berlusconi said.
One of the biggest casualties of the vote was Fini – who had staked major political capital on toppling Berlusconi. Fini’s chances of replacing Berlusconi as conservative leader now appear slimmer, at least in the short term.
Ironically, it was Fini in his capacity as speaker of the lower house who announced the result: 314-311 in favor of the government. Applause broke out and Fini quickly ended the session.
Italy must now brace for a period of deep uncertainty.
Pierluigi Bersani, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, called the result a “Pyrrhic victory” for Berlusconi. And even Berlusconi ally Roberto Maroni, the interior minister, said new elections may be necessary unless the government secures a broader majority.
Berlusconi is halfway through his five-year term and the next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2013.
“From the political and parliamentary point of view, Berlusconi scored a clear victory,” said Stefano Folli, one of the leading Italian analysts. “But on the other hand, the government was weak before this vote and will be weak after it.”
The down-to-the-wire vote capped hours of tension inside and outside parliament.
Three pregnant women whose presence had been in doubt until the last minute showed up and were among the first to cast their votes, all against Berlusconi, to the applause of their allies. One of them arrived by ambulance, another in a wheelchair. As undecided lawmakers were called to cast their vote, some in the house cheered them on, while others jeered.
The scuffles that forced the brief suspension of voting broke out as one of Fini’s defectors announced her vote in favor of Berlusconi.
Outside parliament, thousands of people had descended on Rome for protests timed to coincide with the votes on a variety of causes. A core group of people soon turned violent, with aggression escalating after Berlusconi won the second vote.
Hundreds of students, some of them downing beers as they marched, smashed shop windows, destroyed bank ATMs and set vehicles on fire. Near Berlusconi’s residence, police fired tear gas to disperse the approaching crowd.
The pavement of the central Piazza del Popolo was pocked by holes after protesters ripped out cobblestones to hurl. Police hit some protesters with clubs.
“What happened today depended on the rage that was felt after the vote of confidence,” said Dalila Parrano, a student who said she had taken part in more peaceful protests.
–
Associated Press Writer Martino Villosio contributed to this report.
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Comments (88)
JohnnyJT
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:37pmDamn Communist.
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:16pmThink it can’t happen here? If I had to make a guess I would lay my money on California. Wait until they have tuition increases or scholarship cutbacks due to budget shortages. Berkley will not only have riots their stupid city counsel will probably be leading them.
Report Post »Modawg734Blue
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 10:06pm@RICKFROMILLINOIS,
Report Post »I think that would be a good excuse to set charges along the fault and send the whole thing into the drink. The progressives could apologize to the fish later.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:10pmDowning beers and smashing stuff up, no way. kids here would never do that, would they? Ha Ha Haa
Report Post »amerbur
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:57pmPeace loving left wing.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:49pmThe new Il Duce will show up any time now.
Report Post »WILLIAM E.
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:49pmSocialism is so nice, Till you all run out of other peoples money !!!
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:47pmAhh the sights and sounds of chaos. Like a train with no brakes its heading this way.
Report Post »po-boy
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:46pmCan we send them Obama, Pelosi and Reid? That will straighten Italy out.
Report Post »Modawg734Blue
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:46pmPlease do! I know we would all miss them, but I think we will be just fine without them.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:42pmYou know that the youth here in the US is just waiting for the go ahead. They are watching and taking notes. God help us! Why doesn’t Nancy come out now with that whole wimpering speech on how she has seen this kind of rhetoric before. This time it may very well be relevant.
Report Post »CaptGregg
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:42pmSimilar outbursts could well occur in this country too. The mindless leftists, and especially the youths among them, love to mount demonstrations, and it only takes one effective speaker with a bullhorn to set them off.
Watch out for the demonstrations when the DREAM act is shot down — there’s gonna be over ten million pi$$ed off Mexicans!
Report Post »Kerri g
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:53pmthought that was 12 million Mexicans, oh yes that was 6 years ago, Guess they just stopped counting.
Report Post »G man
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:39pmciuccio
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:38pmLooks like the Cops are outnumbered.
Isn’t that a shame.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:51pmGarden variety troll.
These aren‘t the driods you’re looking for, folks. You can go about your business. Move along.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:50pmThe troll is the one making irrelevant comments while trolling through the board.
BTW, the Stormtroopers are the ones in the uniforms with blue helmets.
I’m Billy Dee Williams. I stand with the Ewoks.
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 1:05amSista Macie, Don’t you find it ironic that it is Russian Television that all these videos come from? You post like a moronic thug on this site but you have to be smarter than that! Divide and conquer! I stand with any person, I did not say any black,hispanic,caucasion,oriental,Christian,Jew or Muslim, that loves America and loves freedom. We must unite and make a stand against this stealing of our freedom and personal wealth! I beg of you to stop your devisive posts and be an AMERICAN. Not a race or a religion. Join society and stop being a divider.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 10:31amKiss my black American (__)(__).
Report Post »Conserving Ink
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:36pmWe keep attributing these riots to angry citizens,as if they were Tea Party types gone too far. This is not the case. These riots are planned, created and guided by the Unions. The same Unions we have all over the North, the first riots here will be in a Union heavy state like Michigan or New York.
Report Post »________________________________________________________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/2010/12/political-flocking.html
lecar
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:54pmExcellent point. The media has slanted the language and details describing these riots in Europe and is painting this same portrait of the Tea party. If the peaceful demonstrations of the Tea party will be compared to these riots.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:34pmEff the police.
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:59pmEasy to say from here. Next time you get Victimized…call a Communist. Why do you hate Cops so much ?
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:12pmWhat a stupid comment. Next time someone breaks into your house call a progressive, unless of course they are the ones breaking into your house.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:48pmI don’t get victimized, because I carry a victimizer.
That’s also who I call when someone tries to break into my house, I call my victimizer to victimize some victims.
One of my victimizer’s names is Mossberg Riot Pump Rubberized Pistol Grip with Rifle Slugs,
the other is named .357 Magnum with 6in barrel with Glaser Rounds, just so I don’t victimize any of my neighbors.
Modawg734Blue
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:35pm@ anyone with this mindset. The police in this country are not the enemy. They are our neighbors, relatives and friends. Sure there are some ****** among them, but that type is present throughout society. Remember, many of the officers you just insulted watched friends and brothers die defending freedom. Without vets you would not have the freedom to express your distaste for them. Try growing up a little.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 8:12amYet another example of a Beck-wacko. Glenn’s flock is quite a collection of people.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 7:58pm@ anyone with this mindset. The police in this country ARE the enemy. They don‘t care about you unless it serves to make them look better or if you’re related to them or in law enforcement.
I have NEVER met a “good” cop, seeing as there is no “good” people, and we’re all SINNERS. Not even Jesus was “good”.
Military Vets are NOT police officers.
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:52amSista Macie, I see your Mom let you back on the computer after you were grounded for not playing well with others.Get the chip off your shoulder and stop the nonsense! If you have not noticed the police have not set anyone on fire it is the communists setting people on fire! The police are not tools of the government and most are very conservative in their leanings. The Constitution is what I swore to protect and not a politician. All enemys both foreign and domestic. Pay your overdue parking tickets and let it go, tough guy!
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:17pmBlacksmith, are you a piglet?
The police executed Oscar Grant in public.
That was the first public execution I’ve ever seen in America.
The Police are Nazis.
I don’t have any parking tickets.
And I don’t have to have a negative experience with law enforcement to form my opinions.
Troglodyte.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:33pmseems the metros had a rude awakening…..awake none the less
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:28pmAt this point in time, I think it is “safe” to say Europe is officially ON FIRE! Hold on, America, it’s coming to a neighborhood near you; which is precisely what oblahblah and his cronies are hoping will happen, as that is their only way to disarm Americans, i.e., martial law.
From my cold dead hands…..just sayin’.
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:01pmI have ‘x’ amount of guns, and the government knows about 1. How can they confiscate the ones they don’t know about if they are hidden?
Report Post »FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:20pmWELL WE ALL KNOW THEY SEE ALL US HERE TALKING AND DON‘T THINK THEY AREN’T TAKING NOTES…………………now what were you saying about how many………………VICTORY OR DEATH
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:11pmOkay, then ummmmm x=1 ;-)
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 8:56pmI own no weapons. I will submit. Resistance is futile. Re-educate me. Have a Nice Day. Did I mention I own no weapons?
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:28pmComing to a metropolitan area near you?
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:27pmWatch the PIIGS
Portugal? Coming.
Italy? In progress
Ireland? Sinn Fein (IRA’s political arm) just took control, nationalism is on the rise. Coming.
Greece? Done
Spain? Coming
Lots of bad stuff coming from Europe. Let’s not bring it here.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:33pmUnfortunately, there is very little that can stop it. It is spreading like a virus in Europe and our Progressive crowd in America adores and idealizes European Socialists. You can already hear the rhetoric in our own politicians when they demand that Obama “fight” for the middle class and “fight” against the Republicans. Within a year, you will see Progressive riots in our own streets.
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:26pmCOMO ESTA over there in Italy ? This is coming our way soon enough.. SAD !!…
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 10:48pmThat’s what you Beckites are hoping for.
Report Post »scguitar
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:25pmWow, France, Greece, England, now Italy? Its spreading like a disease
Report Post »Paul -Indiana
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 2:03pmIt seems that they all have their Community Organizers.
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:25pmMan, thats a lovely Alfa Romeo in the 3rd picture. Cmon guys there had to be some Fiats around, burn them. Leave the Alfas alone!
Report Post »Joseff
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:59pmFianlly, a voice of reason amid the chaos! Gotta love the Alfas.
Joe
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:23pmIt’s almost here. Lock and Load and remember OSOK
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:08pmWill be awful to see this here when Obama isn’t re-elected.
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:15pmYou’re right, it‘ll be like the recent Oakland riots or the LA riots in the 90’s.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:21pmGod above these people give a new definition to madness in the streets.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:21pmThese people would riot for anything
Report Post »PROAMERICAN
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:54pmI can only think of what our country will look like after B.O. makes campaign promises in 2012… then looses the election. Here is when we have trouble. The political right and left in this country is growing further and further apart.
Be prepared.
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:32pmSoon it will be here. They talked about this over the weekend at donsmithshow.com. When we start getting serious about our spending cuts, how will America react?
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:19pmI guess the new in vogue way to show your discontent is to destroy everything in your path.
Report Post »Hint ? U.S. Government ? ( Not advocating Violence) -Disclaimer
J.C. McGlynn
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:34pmDo you think George Soros aided in the ballot counting?
Report Post »silveracer44
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:37pm“Masked protesters torched cars and trash bins…”
Usually when “masked” people start the violence, it’s a set-up.
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 4:45pmOnce again it’s the youth. Maybe the Europeans need some parenting lessons.
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:12pmNot so new, it was done in the 60′s by the black panthers, the sds and a couple other of Barrys buddies. Just a bunch of people out having fun.
Report Post »Keep your powder dry.
FED-UP-AND-READY-TO-TAKE-ACTION
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:16pmComing soon to a neighborhood near you………………This is getting real scary………..VICTORY OR DEATH
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:26pmNothing says Communism like an angry mob…..I hear ammo is on sale at Walmart…..Im just sayin’..
Report Post »Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 5:34pmWelcome to the new world order, austerity for the poor and middle classes while the rich keep their yachts, vacation homes and holidays at The French Riviera. Anarchy here we come.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 10:23pmDude22
Report Post »The rich earned their boats and money. These hooligans that have been through the public indoctrination stations think you get something for nothing. They are the problem not a person who had and idea or a business that was valuable to society and maybe even the individual self. Your anarchy will be met with a different sort of “Off with their heads” here in the US. I will shoot you if you loot my property and I will “aim small, miss small” as Benjimin Martin said in the Patriot. Your little mask will not protect against a well placed 223 shell and I don’t think you will even know where it came from? Time will come when we have to take out you bunch of defensless losers.
Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 2:04amBecko, do you really believe that the super rich got their money from honest hard work? You simply can’t outsource a nations entire industrial base, impoverish the masses and allow a few well connected individuals to amass all the wealth, shielded from loss by government guarantees and not expect anarchy. Do you know the unemployment rate of 19-24 year olds in Europe? It’s close to 30%. So these young people have no hope. What happens when it hits 60%? Do we send them to die in a war protecting the wealth of investment bankers, European Nobility and aristocrats and oil barons. This is just the beginning if austerity is used to protect wealthy bond holders who took a risk when they purchased those bonds but now are being protected from losses at the cost of social safety nets to the jobless. Again it’s caviar for the rich and crumbs for the masses. “let the eat cake” didn’t work out too well for the French Monarchy in the late 18th century did it?
Report Post »As far as you and that rifle you may just end up along side the anarchists if you fall victim to the 21st century American economy that has the top 1% receiving 25% and climbing of the annual income. Oh and I have a few firearms as well as a 6 figure income but that doesn‘t mean I can’t read history. Before you take Glenn Beck’s word as gospel you should read a little history yourself including views that are not always simply reinforcing your current biases and beliefs. You may find it enlightening.
ADDICTED TO TRUTH
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 3:12amUSA Today on FBook posted an article about the riots and asked the question : Are riots an effective form of protest? Some people said yes, but most said no. Later on I saw a second poster discussing whether it’s time to do it amongst his friends…..so it begins.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 8:23amDueteronomy made some excellent points. Great posts.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:30amHey Dueteronomy..Ya think that 6 figure income will save your sorry ass when it takes six figures to buy a loaf of bread? You are a FOOL!
BECKISNUTS….No YOU is NUTS…
Report Post »Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:36amDusty, I guess ‘ll have to buy $10,000 worth of rations from the company Beck shills for and hide in my basement.
Report Post »