Italy and its political clowns

It would be an exaggeration to say that Italy has become a fragile democracy. The governing coalition might be collapsing tonight or tomorrow, but the State institutions are functioning. The President has the necessary prestige and authority. The judiciary system works. And, in general terms, I think we should recognise that public service is experienced and can be competent, if left alone.

It is the political class that is in deep crisis. It has been like that since Berlusconi´s time, in the 90s. His Forza Italia was a joke, inspired by his own example and megalomania. And it created a lot of additional party clones, as time went on, including the populist 5 Star Movement. It has also opened space to the ultra nationalist movements to flourish. 

In this context, the real challenge is to see the emergence of different type of political leaders. Unfortunately, that seems to be a very remote light, at this stage. 

Berlusconi

Italy’s governing coalition has become very shaky. Its future is unclear. Silvio Berlusconi will make things very difficult in the next few days. He thinks he needs to create a major national crisis. That’s the way the man behaves and this time is pretty serious for his personal survival and place in history. He will not forgive. He will try every trick to create a mess as a way of cleaning his reputation. And he is a man that will not hesitate to bring the country down if he himself is going down.

Italy's dramatic move towards the future

In view of the election results, many analysts of the Italian political scene think that Beppe Grillo is the true winner and the king maker. I beg to differ. This is an election without winners. To let Grillo play the role of king maker would be a strategic mistake. His support – tacit or explicit – to a centre-left led government would be terribly unstable. Sooner or later such a government would collapse. Then, new elections would have to be called. And these elections would bring Berlusconi back to power. Let’s have no doubt about such a scenario.

I trust Bersani, the leader of the centre-left party PD, understands this.

That’s why I would agree with those who say that the country looks “ungovernable” at this stage. But a political impasse is no solution either. In my opinion, and I say this with trepidation, the centre-left has to reach out to Berlusconi party and try to form a grand coalition. It might not last very long. But it is the only way to compromise both sides in a process that will certainly be painful. Italy’s future – not to mention the chaotic state of the country at this juncture – requires such a dramatic approach.

Clowns and Mafiosi

At this hour, the results of the Italian general elections are not yet clear. But what is obvious is that a large segment of the country’s population leaves in a strange planet. Those who voted for two men that are far from being serious – Berlusconi and Grillo – have not yet realised that Italy needs a deep transformation and modernisation. Populism and cronyism of the Silvio’s fashion are just the continuation of the road towards bankruptcy, more corruption and chaos. Grillo’s anti-establishment platform will, in the end, lead to almost the same results: bankruptcy, chaos, street politics and political instability. 

Italy is an example of what can happen to a major economy when the rule of law is replaced by the rule of political favouritism and the rule of the mafia groups. Let the situation go on for decades without being tackled and see what you get: clowns and Mafiosi being voted into office. 

The Pope, Syria and Berlusconi

My editor had to rearrange this week’s magazine, which was about to be finalised and sent to the printers, after the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI of his resignation. In the magazine as in all media outfits the news arrived as a major earthquake. It has shaken all the other items. Space being a rare commodity in all types of media, particularly in the magazine type, the Pope’s decision has chased out many other pieces of information and editorial comments on other matters. From what I know, it is the Syrian crisis and the Italian elections articles that paid the highest price. They moved out of the pages and focus, or were given just a token space. The Pope took precedence. The matters of God won over the tragedy of people in Syria and the comedy of Berlusconi in Italy. 

Politics is a very strange game

Berlusconi promised today to return 4 billion Euros of property taxes money to the Italian families, if he gets to power after the general elections that take place at the end of this month.  

This man is a consummate populist. This announcement is another demonstration of his immense capacity to offer fantasies and thin air as the solutions to the vast problems Italy is facing. You and I would think that the voters would see how implausible such a promise is. Be aware! The opinion polls are showing that Berlusconi’s party is getting stronger and stronger. Many citizens love to be deceived!