Trouble in Berlusconi-land

Published on 7 February 2011 at 11:33

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"Clashes at anti-PM protest," headlines La Stampa in the wake of a "Purple people" demonstration to demand Silvio Berlusconi’s resignation outside his villa in Arcore near Milan. Inspired by the revolution in Egypt, demonstrators drew attention to the recent sex scandals involving the prime minister. Police intervened when some of them attempted to force open the gates to the residence, in what La Stampa describes as a bid “to strike at the heart of Berlusconism.” The newspaper points out that "there is nowhere more sacred to Berlusconi than the Villa San Martino," whose purchase coincided with the beginning of his rise to power. The 16th century mansion, which has been used for high-level political meetings, has more recently been in the news as the venue for the Italian premier’s notorious “bunga bunga” parties.

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