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.