Italy reacts to an assault on the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi

FAMOUS politicians are occasionally pelted with eggs or shoes. But the attack on Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, on Sunday December 13th was of an entirely different order. As he mixed with a crowd after a rally in Milan a man hurled a plaster souvenir—a model of the city’s cathedral—at him from just a few feet away. Mr Berlusconi fell to the ground and when he re-emerged into view his face was smothered with blood.

The 73-year-old prime minister had suffered what one doctor later called “classic boxer’s injuries”. He had a broken nose and cuts on his lips, one of which needed stitches. Two of his teeth were broken and he had a nasty gash just below his left eye. His doctor said he would need about three weeks to recover fully. Mr Berlusconi’s spokesman described him as “tired and suffering”. It was expected that he would leave hospital on Tuesday. …