By Leon Watson PUBLISHED: 11:26 EST, 27 February 2013 | UPDATED: 02:47 EST, 28 February 2013 Italian President Giorgio Napolitano cancelled a dinner with Germany's opposition leader today after he claimed the country elected a bunch of 'clowns'. Peer Steinbrueck, a Social Democrat who will take on Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany's next national election in September, was referring to Italian former premier Silvio Berlusconi and comic-turned-politician Beppe Grillo. Steinbrueck has a reputation for gaffes and his remark created the first diplomatic incident of his accident-prone campaign. Cancelled: President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy (left) was due to meet German chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrueck (right) before it was called off
@highlight
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano cancels dinner with Peer Steinbrueck
@highlight
The opposition candidate for chancellor has a reputation for gaffes
@highlight
He was referring to Silvio Berlusconi and former comic Beppe Grillo
@highlight
It follows their good showing in Italy's election that was inconclusive
Grillo, in his popular blog, laid into Merkel for imposing @placeholder-style fiscal austerity on Italy.