Berlusconi sparks outrage with Nazi jibe

ITALIAN prime minister Silvio Berlusconi triggered a diplomatic row yesterday when he compared a German MEP to a Nazi during Italy’s six-month start of the EU presidency.

To the horror of MEPs, he told a German parliamentarian he would be ideal in the role of a Nazi concentration camp commandant, and he accused Green MEPs of being "tourists of democracy".

Fellow MEPs hurled abuse at Mr Berlusconi and thumped their desks in the European Parliament Chamber in dismay.