TWO POLICE OFFICERS and a civilian were injured in a shooting outside government buildings in Rome today, just as the new coalition cabinet was sworn in.

Up to eight shots were fired outside the premier’s office, injuring two policemen and a passerby. It is understood that one of the officers is in a critical condition.

Euronews, which has cameras at the scene, reported that two policemen were injured in the incident at government headquarters, about a kilometre away from the presidential palace where the oath of office took place.

Police say they have detained one man.

Witnesses described seeing two officers on the ground, one with wounds to the neck, the other with leg injuries. Up to eight shots were fired, those in the area have said.

Witnesses said a man in a suit and tie opened fire on the policemen at close range outside the headquarters, off Rome’s main shopping street which was packed with tourists at the time.

“This is the act of a mad, psychologically disturbed man,” Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno told journalists, adding that the passerby and policemen did not appear to be seriously hurt.

The gunman was tackled to the ground by by police.

The shooting cast a shadow over the swearing in of a government meant to bring fresh hope to a country mired in recession after two months of bitter post-election deadlock watched closely by European partners.

-Additional reporting by AFP

It’s taken two months, but Italy has (finally) unveiled its new government