Rome, Italy

Weird scenes unfolded in the Italian Parliament when lawmakers were seen engaging in a physical altercation and blowing punches at each other after a brawl broke out at a time when the country was preparing to welcome world leaders for the G7 Summit.

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The brawl broke out over the plans of the far-right government to grant regions more autonomy.

The fight started when Five Star Movement (MS5) deputy Leonardo Donno walked towards regional affairs minister Roberto Calderoli of the pro-autonomy Northern League and tried to tie an Italian flag around his neck.

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Within seconds, Calderoli's fellow League deputies mobbed Donno and it turned into a scuffle between 20 men. In the physical fight, Donno was injured and was taken away in a wheelchair before he was admitted to a hospital. The video of the entire brawl was shared multiple times on social media platforms and went viral.

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Scuffle in the Italian parliament triggers a flurry of reactions 

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As the footage of the brawl went viral, it attracted a flurry of reactions from political leaders. 

Lawmakers from the League and the Brothers of Italy accused Donno of faking his injuries and provoking the incident.

It was denounced by the M5S as a "serious and shameful attack" as they called for immediate measures.

"Violence comes from the benches of the Meloni majority... Shame," wrote M5S leader Giuseppe Conte on social media network X.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, while speaking to Sky TG24, accepted that lawmakers should maintain higher standards and that politicians "have to set a completely different example".

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"The chamber is not a boxing ring... it's not fisticuffs that solve political problems," he added.

Tajani emphasised the need to resolve political disputes without engaging in physical altercations. 

"I have no words. We should set a better example, not resort to punches to solve political problems," the minister said.

Later, speaking to the Italian news agency Adnkronos, Donno said that he “got close” to Calderoli while trying to hand him the flag and "nothing else".

He further spoke about how chaos erupted afterwards and said, "I was kicked several times and received a strong blow to my chest, causing me to collapse because I couldn't breathe."

(With inputs from agencies)