Schröder and Berlusconi's Opera Date Cancelled

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has bowed out of a evening of opera with German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, citing concerns that protests by the left could ruin the evening.

The two men were scheduled to join EU President Romano Prodi at a performance of “Carmen” in the northern Italian city of Verona. It would have been the first meeting of the two leaders since Berlusconi outraged many Europeans with undiplomatic comments at the European Parliament as Italy took the reigns of the EU’s six-month rotating presidency.

Berlusconi unleashed controversy in a speech to the Parliament when he suggested that a German member of parliament who was critical of him would be perfect for a film role as a concentration camp guard.

The German-Italian tensions were ratcheted up a notch shortly thereafter when a junior minister in charge of tourism called Germany “hyper-nationalistic blonds” who invade Italy’s beaches. Schröder then cancelled his planned summer holiday in Italy. The junior minister later resigned. Berlusconi never actually apologized for his remarks, only expressing regret that they had been “interpreted badly.”

The evening together at the opera was meant to show the public that the two leaders have reconciled, even though officials say the two settled the matter some time ago.

There had already been speculation that Berlusconi might cancel his trip to the opera. The prime minister had said earlier this week that he expected left-wingers to demonstrate.

“The left has no loyalty or sense of state,” the Italian leader told the newspaper Libero this week. “They’re preparing a reception....of boos for me and applause for Schröder and Prodi.”

Summer of Stumbling Diplomacy

It's been a summer of discontent between old friends Germany and Italy. Six weeks ago, Gerhard Schröder cancelled a planned vacation to Italy after a junior Italian minister described German holiday makers as "stereotypical blondes" and "ultranationalistic."

In a statement, Berlusconi said he still planned to see Schröder at an official meeting on Saturday, when they hope to put the spat behind them for good and press on with serious EU matters. The two will discuss, among other things, a planned trip to the UN General Assembly in September. Berlusconi has been a vocal supporter of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Iraq. He recently offered to serve as a mediator between U.S. president George W. Bush and Schröder, who hold strongly opposing views over the Iraq question.

The city of Verona is best known for its two legendary residents, Romeo and Juliet. However, romance won't play large on this trip. Instead, the planned toll for trucks using the German highway system will be high on the agenda when Chancellor Schröder also meets for talks with EU President Romano Prodi, who first extended the invitation to the German leader.