This week Francesco Cossiga, a former Christian Democratic president who has just founded his own party, attacked Mr Fini for his fascist past.

ECONOMIST: Fini��s nice new suit

Mr Cossiga's old friend, the prime minister, is duly grateful.

ECONOMIST: Italy

And a former president of Italy, Francesco Cossiga, with the same purpose in mind, launched a brand-new centre-right party, which has attracted about 50 members of parliament (but has promptly run into problems with its leader).

ECONOMIST: Italy

And now there is Mr Cossiga.

ECONOMIST: Italy