Schröeder demands apology over 'Nazi' gaffe

The German Chancellor has demanded an apology from Silvio Berlusconi following his 'Nazi' gaff in the European Parliament yesterday.

Yesterday the Italian Prime Minister was in Strasbourg to address the European Parliament as his country took over the EU's six-month presidency.

However, the occasion descended into farce when Mr Berlusconi told German MEP, Martin Schultz, that he would be "perfect" as a Nazi concentration camp commander.

Today Chancellor Gerard Schröeder struck back, saying: "The Italian Prime Minister chose to compare a German colleague in the European Parliament to a Nazi.

"I would like to note, and I think I am speaking for everyone in our parliament when I say this, that this comparison was a faux pas and totally unacceptable in form and content. I expect a formal apology from the Italian Prime Minister for this unacceptable comparison."

The Italian Prime Minister is expected to attempt to make amends during a phone call scheduled for later today.

Mr Schultz drew the ire of the Italian premier yesterday by questioning whether Mr Berlusconi considered his ownership of much of Italy's media to be at odds with his political position as head of the Italian government.

Mr Berlusconi reportedly replied: "Mr Schulz, I know there is in Italy a man producing a film on the Nazi concentration camps. I would like to suggest you for the role of leader. You'd be perfect."

Mr Schultz reportedly responded: "My respect for the victims of fascism will not permit me to deal with that kind of claim at all.

"It is very difficult for me to accept that a council president [Mr Berlusconi] should be exercising this office at all when he comes out with this kind of statement."

Mr Berlusconi, who is Italy's richest man and owner of AC Milan football club, has been under pressure at home and had been the subject of a corruption trial. However, the Italian parliament granted him immunity from prosecution whilst he was in office – which he will be until 2006.

(GMcG)