A Mercedes Benz, a BMW and a Volkswagen, driven by a group of “climate barbarians”, entered the Circus Maximus in Rome led by the new “Emperor Nero” - Berlusconi. Greenpeace activists wearing ancient Roman dress blocked the convoy, unrolling banners reading: “QUO VADIS, BERLUSCONI?” ' Where are you going, Berlusconi?' and “VADE RETRO CO2! INQUINATORES NON PREVALEBUNT” - 'Go back CO2! Polluters will not prevail!'.
Greenpeace is protesting the Berlusconi government’s decision to side with German carmakers in watering down the EU’s first ever CO2 standard for cars. The Italian government is threatening to block the whole Energy and Climate Package unless the legislation is emptied of its content. The EU Council is discussing the proposal for a Regulation with the European Parliament to be voted on 17 December.