* Blogmanac | Nazi jibe at MEP provokes German-Italian row
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder demanded a full apology from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today for comparing a German lawmaker to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
Italy's six months in charge of the European Union has begun with a ferocious row in the European Parliament over the Nazi jibe directed by Mr Silvio Berlusconi at a German MEP. The Italian prime minister was in Strasbourg yesterday morning to outline his country's priorities for the EU presidency but a number of MEPs used the occasion to criticise Mr Berlusconi's record in office.
When the German social democrat, Mr Martin Schulz, attacked the Italian prime minister's governing style, Mr Berlusconi suggested that the MEP could play the role of a Kapo, or guard, in a concentration camp. "I know there is in Italy a man producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps. I would like to suggest you for the role of Kapo. You'd be perfect," Mr Berlusconi said.
MEPs booed, jeered and banged their desks in protest at the remark but the prime minister declined to withdraw it, despite an invitation to do so from the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox.
Berlusconi told reporters in Rome he would speak to Schroeder by telephone today but made no further comment.
Sources here and here
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder demanded a full apology from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi today for comparing a German lawmaker to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
Italy's six months in charge of the European Union has begun with a ferocious row in the European Parliament over the Nazi jibe directed by Mr Silvio Berlusconi at a German MEP. The Italian prime minister was in Strasbourg yesterday morning to outline his country's priorities for the EU presidency but a number of MEPs used the occasion to criticise Mr Berlusconi's record in office.
When the German social democrat, Mr Martin Schulz, attacked the Italian prime minister's governing style, Mr Berlusconi suggested that the MEP could play the role of a Kapo, or guard, in a concentration camp. "I know there is in Italy a man producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps. I would like to suggest you for the role of Kapo. You'd be perfect," Mr Berlusconi said.
MEPs booed, jeered and banged their desks in protest at the remark but the prime minister declined to withdraw it, despite an invitation to do so from the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox.
Berlusconi told reporters in Rome he would speak to Schroeder by telephone today but made no further comment.
Sources here and here
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