The opposition finds its man

摘要

The suicide bombing of a carabinieri headquarters at Nasiriya in Iraq has stunned Italy. Twelve paramilitary policemen and four soldiers died, along with two Italian civilians, in Italy's worst single military loss since the second world war. Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister, requested a political truce while the grieving continued. For as long as it lasts, he will be the main political beneficiary. But he may well then suffer an "Iraq effect" not unlike the one plaguing Britain's Tony Blair. Unlike Britain, Italy did not contribute troops to the war; but Mr Berlusconi strongly backed America's policy and was eager to contribute to the post-war reconstruction effort. Now the body-bags are returning to a country whose public has been far more solidly opposed to military involvement than Britain's.