The Democratic Party leader, Dario Franceschini, and a leading TV journalist, Lucia Annunziata, have been recently filmed while wearing turquoise socks. Far from being a touch of sudden eccentricity, this was a sign of solidarity towards the judge Mesiano who was filmed during a routine weekend walk by a Mediaset TV program and  labelled as an extravagant type for simply wearing a pair of turquoise socks. 

Following criticisms from both the right and the left for what was seen as only a way to embarrass Mesiano, Claudio Brachino, the presenter of the program which showed these images, has apologised to the judge. He has, however, also asked him to come on the program to answer three questions related to the ruling in which he had condemned Berlusconi-founded Mediaset to the payment of 750 million Euros in compensation to a rival company. Many in the Italian left thought this was only a half-hearted apology.

The Fairy with Turquoise Hair famously gave life to Pinocchio at the end of Collodi novel. Will a pair of turquoise socks be enough to give life to the Italian wooden opposition?