Lawmakers from Parliament's third-largest bloc, the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement led by comic-turned-political agitator Beppe Grillo, galvanized supporters for the protest.

NPR: Napolitano Re-Elected Italy's President

As a writer and as a performer, Springsteen is in command of a variety of themes and moods: comic and grandiose, political and mindless.

NEWYORKER: We Are Alive

But if he shuns Berlusconi, Bersani will need to win support from Parliament's new third bloc, a populist, anti-euro movement founded by comic-turned-political leader Beppe Grillo.

NPR: Italy's Bersani Tapped To Form New Government