Moment enormous brawl breaks out in Italian parliament with MP ‘leaving in a wheelchair’ after being punched during row over regional autonomy

This is the shocking moment a mass brawl broke out in Italy’s parliament, leaving an MP in a wheelchair to leave after being punched.

A row broke out over a controversial government proposal that opponents say will further impoverish the poorer south of the country.

One opposition politician was taken to hospital, reports said.

Video of the clash on Wednesday showed politicians agreeing with Leonardo Donno, of the Five Star Movement, who opposes the changes.

He tried to hand an Italian flag to Regional Affairs Minister Roberto Calderoli.

This is the shocking moment a mass brawl broke out in Italy’s parliament, leaving an MP in a wheelchair to leave after being punched

Video of the clash on Wednesday showed politicians gathering with Leonardo Donno, of the Five Star Movement, who tried to unfurl an Italian flag in front of Roberto Calderoli

This led other MPs to work with Donno, who was drawn away from the other MP

Mr Calderoli, a firebrand Lega party politician with northern roots, proposed the controversial expansion of regional autonomy, which would mainly benefit regions such as Lega strongholds Veneto and Lombardy. An argument over the proposal led to the brawl

Mr Calderoli, a firebrand Lega party politician with northern roots, proposed the controversial expansion of regional autonomy, which would mainly benefit regions such as Lega strongholds Veneto and Lombardy.

Italian media reported that Mr Donno was taken to hospital after being hit in the head and chest.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, interviewed on Italy’s Sky TG24 channel, expressed his disappointment on the spot in parliament.

“I have no words,” he said. ‘We need to set a different example, not just slaps to solve political problems. It’s not boasting, it’s not shouting, these are ideas that need to be properly explained to convince voters.”

Donno later spoke to the media after leaving the hospital.

“I have the medical report with me,” he said. ‘They kicked me. A fist hit me straight in the sternum.’ Reading the medical report, he said: ‘During the session he suffered a blow to the sternum, which caused him to have difficulty breathing for a few seconds without losing consciousness. Transferred to intensive care, vital parameters normal.’

Italian media reported that Mr Donno was taken to hospital after being hit in the head and chest in the middle of the brawl

It was not clear from the footage (photo) who was responsible for the blow, but Donno blamed another MP, Igor Iezzi.

He also recalled the brawl, telling reporters that it was another MP named Igor Iezzi of the Northern League party who punched him.

“I got hit by Deputy Iezzi, others tried, like Mollicone, Candiani,” Donno said.

‘Then many others came, the shop assistants… I collapsed, I felt pain in my chest and had difficulty breathing. I was definitely scared, but luckily I’m doing fine now. They did an electrocardiogram and I’m doing fine.”

The Five Star Movement called the brawl a “shameless act” and said “immediate action” should be taken against Iezzi and other instigators.

“An act of violence never seen in a parliamentary chamber,” said Democratic Party delegate Chiara Braga.

Iezzi defended himself and said: ‘A punch? I tried to give it, but you can see from the video that I didn’t succeed. Donno tried to attack Minister Calderoli; if he had only given him the flag the clerks would not have interfered.

“I had my reaction, but you can see from the videos that Donno falls like a pear ten seconds after I walk away. There was no physical violence.

The Five Star Movement called the brawl a “shameless act” and said “immediate measures” should be taken again, Iezzi and other instigators

The proposal that sparked the brawl would give additional regions more autonomy in specific functions, a move the opposition says will further widen Italy’s north-south divide.

Currently, five regions enjoy autonomy, which partially reduces tax revenues owed to the central government in Rome.

They range from Trento-South Tyrol in the north, which consists of the autonomous provinces of Trento and South Tyrol, to Sicily in the south.

The other three are Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the northeast, Aosta in the northwest and the island of Sardinia.