Italian resort to sue Berlusconi after Schroeder's cancellation
WED Jul 09 2003 11:18:12 ET
Pesaro, Italy (dpa) - Local authorities in Pesaro said Wednesday they were considering suing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for damages as a result of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's decision to cancel a planned trip to the Italian resort.
Palmiro Ucchielli, who heads the Pesaro provincial government, in central Italy, told the news agency Ansa that the Berlusconi government had caused ;enormous economic'' damage to the province.
;We are now considering whether to sue (Berlusconi) for damages,'' Ucchielli was quoted as saying.
Schroeder announced Wednesday he would be cancelling his holiday to Pesaro after a government under-secretary, Stefano Stefani, refused to apologise for describing German tourists as ;stereotyped blondes with a hyper-nationalist pride''.
The German chancellor had planned to stay with a long-time Italian friend, artist Bruno Bruni.
Up to 10 million German tourists visit Italy each year. Many of them travel to Italy's Adriatic Riviera, not far from Pesaro.
Stefani, who is responsible for tourism in the Berlusconi government, had criticised Germany following a spat in the European parliament involving Italy's premier and a critical MEP from Germany.
On Wednesday, Italian opposition leaders joined several German cabinet members in demanding that Stefani step down from his post.
Italy took over the rotating presidency of the European Union (E.U.) on July 1 and there are fears that the acrimony will hamper efforts to hammer out a new constitution by the end of the year.
The Drudge Report does not own, operate or maintain DrudgeReportArchives.com and is not responsible for it in any way.