Riots break out in Rome after Silvio Berlusconi survives confidence votes

[mod mom]

Riots break out in Rome after Silvio Berlusconi survives confidence votes

Hooded protesters set up flaming barricades as police baton-charge demonstrators in several parts of capital's historic centre



John Hooper, Rome
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 December 2010 15.37 GMT

Rioting today swept Rome after Silvio Berlusconi's rightwing government narrowly survived a censure motion in parliament amid claims he had bought his way out of trouble.

Hooded protesters set up flaming barricades as police baton-charged demonstrators in several parts of the capital's historic centre. Cars and council vehicles were set alight, and officers fired teargas at protesters.

Initial reports spoke of at least 80 police and demonstrators injured in the disturbances.

Some demonstrators wielded iron bars and threw paving stones during the most violent disturbances seen in Rome for many years. The normally sedate city rang to the sound of exploding firecrackers hurled by protesters.

-snip

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/14/riots-rome-silvio-berlusconi-confidence-votes

[tcaudilllg]

1. This will be the beginning...

setting the stage for the attack on his remaining support.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Yep.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Italians tell me the election system is now.... been compromised.

no way like the States but Berlusconi's mafia
has it fingers in everything after so many years of Rule.

He thinks he is Roman Emperor, but does the thing as a consul.

[mimitabby]

4. voting in italy

you get colored pieces of papers and put a big X on the one with your candidate's name on it.

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. In some towns but who counts them is questioned

Corruption and bribes are are a worry after so many years with this fascist.


I'm justing reporting from Europe.

[lunatica]

5. Obviously Berlusconi's people counted the votes

Did he get 99% of the vote like Saddam used to?