Legislation to ban children under 11 from political demonstrations has been presented by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s party Forza Italia. The proposal comes just two weeks after thousands of parents and youngsters took to the streets of Rome to protest against plans to reduce afternoon classes in primary schools.

Involving children in ademonstrations would risk a fine of up to e2,000 (pound;1,400). But the proposal looks like getting a rough ride in parliament. It is dismissed as insane by opposition leaders and even allies in Mr Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition are dubious.