The Guardian "Italians seeking respite in cyberspace from the surreal world of Italian politics are fighting plans by a minister to build a campaign headquarters in the virtual reality community Second Life.

Around 60,000 Italians frequent the online universe. But "avatars" gathered at the weekend on a tropical island, above, bought by Antonio Di Pietro, Italy's transport and infrastructure minister, to protest at his plans to set up office space there. Writing on his online blog, Mr Di Pietro, who has planted his flag on the island, said he wanted to promote "political, social and economic" debate in Second Life."