Most of the Italian opposition
parties will stage a rally in Rome on Tuesday to "defend
national unity" in the face of the government's reforms and
protest against alleged "violence and intimidation" by the
ruling coalition after an MP for the 5-Star Movement (M5S)
needed medical attention following a brawl in the Lower House
last week.
The M5S, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the Green-Left
Alliance (AVS) and the More Europe party are holding the rally
in Rome's Piazza Santissimi Apostoli and several other
organizations are also taking part, including Partisans
association ANPI and the CGIL trade union.
The centrist opposition Italia Viva and Azione parties, however,
are not taking part.
The ugly scenes broke out on Wednesday as the House was
examining the government's controversial bill for
'differentiated autonomy', which will enable regions to request
more power over how the tax revenues collected in their areas
are spent and which critics say will worsen Italy' north-south
divide.
At one stage M5S MP Leonardo Donno tried to hand an Italian flag
to Regional Affairs and Autonomy Minister Roberto Calderoli,
prompting a number of MPs from the governing coalition to rush
over.
A male MP can be seen attempting to land punches in the footage
of the incident.
Donno ended up on the floor and had to be taken out of the
chamber in a wheelchair.
He subsequently said he was all right following medical tests
and accused League MP Igor Iezzi of punching him in the face.
Iezzi denied this, admitting he had tried to deliver punches but
saying he had failed to land a blow.
Eleven MPs have been suspended over the brawl, with penalties
ranging from two to 15 days.
Iezzi got the longest ban while Donno was suspended too, for
four days.
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