Berlusconi calls for dialogue as he leaves hospital after attack

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called for dialogue and a “calmer” political climate as he left hospital with a small bandage on his nose and a large compress on his left cheek. A weekend attack resulted in the premier being hospitalised.

AFP - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called on Thursday for dialogue and a "calmer" political climate as he left hospital four days after suffering a violent attack.
   
"If, after what happened, there is a better awareness of the need for calmer and more honest language in Italian politics, this pain will not have been for naught," Berlusconi, 73, said in a statement.
   
"These last days I have felt that even some political opposition leaders have come closer," said Berlusconi, who suffered severe facial wounds after a man said to have a history of psychological troubles assaulted him in his native Milan on Sunday.
   
The attack on the billionaire leader, already a larger-than-life figure in Italian politics, further polarised a sharply divided nation.
   
Passions have run high this week, whether in parliament, in the street or on the Internet.
   
The left and right have been engaged in a war of words, trading accusations of creating a "climate of hatred" that led Berlusconi's assailant to throw a model of Milan's cathedral at him.
   
Berlusconi left Milan's San Raffaele hospital Thursday morning with a small bandage on his nose and a large compress on his left cheek.
   
Police have said Berlusconi's assailant, Massimo Tartaglia, 42, has a long history of psychiatric problems.
   
Tartaglia, who could face up to five in jail if convicted of assault, remains in police custody despite a request from his lawyers to transfer him at least temporarily to a psychiatric hospital.
   
A judge deemed that Tartaglia was still capable of carrying out a similar act, ANSA reported.

Date created : 2009-12-17