Brawl Erupts in Italian Parliament, Lawmaker Injured

A violent brawl broke out in the Italian parliament on Wednesday during a vote on a controversial government bill, resulting in one lawmaker being taken away from the chamber in a wheelchair. The incident unfolded when a lawmaker from the opposition party thrust an Italian flag into the face of a government minister, leading to a physical altercation that involved several other lawmakers.

Tempers flared in the Italian parliament on Wednesday as a wild brawl erupted during a vote on a contentious government bill. The incident, captured on video, forced one lawmaker to leave the chamber in a wheelchair.

According to Politico, the melee began when Leonardo Donno, a member of the opposition Five Star Movement party, thrust an Italian flag into the face of Roberto Calderoli, the Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies.

Footage of the incident shows two parliamentary clerks in the Chamber of Deputies attempting to break up the altercation, but their efforts were futile as other lawmakers joined the fray. One lawmaker was seen throwing punches at Donno.

"Among the various kicks, I also received a very strong punch to the sternum and I collapsed because I couldn't breathe," Donno was quoted by Politico as saying to local media.

Reuters reported that Donno was eventually taken away from the scene in a wheelchair, visibly injured from the incident.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed shock and dismay following the brawl. "I have no words," Tajani told Sky TG24.

"We need to set another example, not punches to resolve political problems," he emphasized. "It's not braggadocio, it's not shouting, it's ideas that need to be explained well to persuade voters."

The incident cast a dark shadow over the parliamentary proceedings, leading to widespread condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum.

"The violence that erupted today in the House is unacceptable," said Enrico Letta, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party. "Politics should be based on confrontation of ideas, not fists."

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, also condemned the violence, calling it "a spectacle unworthy of the institutions."

Debate on the government bill is reportedly set to continue on Thursday, despite the chaotic events of the previous day. The incident has raised serious questions about the state of discourse and civility in Italian politics.