Italian minister quits after Germany slur
Stefano Stefani, the Italian minister who described Germans as a race of “hyper-nationalistic blondes” and arrogant beer boozers, has tendered his resignation.
Mr Stefani announced his resignation at a meeting of his Northern League Party near Verona, according to media reports.
Despite apologising for the remarks, his position was evidently assailable, though it remains unclear whether his resignation will be accepted.
The remarks made by the junior tourist minister prompted German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to cancel his planned holiday to Italy and further harmed Franco-German relations.
In an article in La Padania, the newspaper of the anti-immigrant Northern League, Stefani described Germany as a country “intoxicated with arrogant certainties” and its people “stereotyped blondes with a hyper-nationalist pride.”
In the European Parliament last week, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi compared German politician Martin Schulz to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
In a statement to be published in Germany’s Bild newspaper on Saturday, Mr Stefani is expected to write: “If my words caused a misunderstanding for many Germans I would like to say here that I am very sorry.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini described Stefani as “an idiot.”
The embarrassing affair comes as Mr Berlusconi tries to save Italy’s ruling coalition. Coalition members are at odds over immigration, devolution and the economy.
