Of course the accidental is important in history. The latest example would be how electoralist needs are going to impinge on Italy’s attempts to turn its economic crisis round. A year, at least, may well be lost on false promises and inaction. And as if that weren’t enough, the trifecta may be delivered by ‘terrorist-attack psychosis‘.

Italy aims to reduce its deficit to less than 3 per cent of gross domestic product by the end of 2007 ? a target described by Silvio Berlusconi, prime minister, as ?manageable? and which is in line with commitments given this week to the European Union.

However, Mr Berlusconi?s six-party coalition, trailing behind the centre-left opposition in the opinion polls, is planning a relatively mild 2006 budget to save itself from electoral defeat.

Italy?s economy fell into recession between October 2004 and last March and is plagued by low productivity growth, high unit labour costs, falling international competitiveness and an enormous public debt.