Berlusconi’s Cuckoo Prank

I swear this is a real news story. It's not from The Onion:

Silvio Berlusconi, the flamboyant Italian Prime Minister, played a practical joke on the German Chancellor today by jumping out at her from behind a lamppost when they met for an Italo-German summit in Trieste. Slipping away from the welcoming committee, the Italian leader hid behind the lamppost and emerged with a cry of "Cucu!" when Angela Merkel stepped out of her official car to enter the regional council headquarters where they were to meet. Reports said the German leader, who appeared amused, opened her arms and replied "Silvio!".

Bonus: There's video footage of this great moment in international diplomacy.

Politics Pranks

Posted on Fri Nov 21, 2008


Comments

From all I've heard, Berlusconi is rather an interesting character.
Posted by Accipiter  on  Fri Nov 21, 2008  at  09:42 AM
Man, those Conservatives are a laugh a minute, aren't they?
Posted by Big Gary  on  Fri Nov 21, 2008  at  10:13 AM
"Interesting" is an, uh, interesting way to describe Berlusconi.

This story should be shown to children in school so as to disabuse them of the notion that people in high places must necessarily be among the best and brightest.

I think the world "kakistocracy" applies to a lot of the current crop of world leaders.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Fri Nov 21, 2008  at  06:05 PM
I'm confused about the video. First of all, it's a statue, not a lightpost and he doesn't jump out, he just stands there until the person who is with Merkel points him out. Am I just confused?
Posted by Razela  on  Fri Nov 21, 2008  at  08:48 PM
So, not only is Berlusconi a corrupt politician and a very disgusting human being, but he also lacks a good sense of humor.
Posted by POL  on  Sun Nov 23, 2008  at  10:14 AM
I fail to see any prank as well; Merkel doesn't appear to even notice him until someone points him out.

I suspect that had he really jumped out and shouted, he would have been shot by the German equivalent of the Secret Service.
Posted by Joe  on  Mon Nov 24, 2008  at  11:11 AM
And where's the lamppost? When does he jump out?

In any case, they see each other every other week. I don't why is it so momentous... unless you're a stiff Times reporter, of course.
Posted by Enrique  on  Fri Nov 28, 2008  at  06:31 AM
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