In Italy, Illusion Is the Only Reality; Berlusconi On His Way Back To The Top

[Neil]

Italy hasn't had international credibility since... ever.

Certainly not since the 4th century AD.

I don't think Italy can really be considered a successor state of the Roman Empire.

[The Larch]

Berlusconi, well, it's Berlusconi: old, yes, corrupt, probably, media tycoon, certainly (even if, in the last 20 years, despite having three TV channels, he lost two elections); but he represents a very large part of italians who don't want to vote the left, and are lacking an alternative.

Really, man? 

By the way, for the italian speakers here (Sheilbh, Larch), there's an excellent article about the italian right and Berlusconi on the Corriere homepage, by PL Battista:
http://www.corriere.it/politica/speciali/2013/elezioni/notizie/26-febbraio-riscossa-del-giaguaro-battista_3b297940-7fdd-11e2-b0f8-b0cda815bb62.shtml

L.

Thanks, interesting article. It raises some points on Berlusconi that are usually missing from analysis on him done by foreign journos, namely that despite all his buffoonery, he really knows what the average Italian wants to hear about and what are their day to day issues. Over here the only tangible policy that was mentioned and discussed was his proposal to abolish IMU and pay it back, but only to label it as nakedly populistic and technically impossible. At no point was it mentioned how that tax was affecting the average Italian household.

[Pedrito]

Berlusconi, well, it's Berlusconi: old, yes, corrupt, probably, media tycoon, certainly (even if, in the last 20 years, despite having three TV channels, he lost two elections); but he represents a very large part of italians who don't want to vote the left, and are lacking an alternative.

Really, man? 

   

L.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Grillo and the 5 Stars, well, they can be anti-system, anti-politics, etc., but they're still around the 25% mark, and cannot be simply put aside and forgotten.

you'd be surprised how easy it is to ignore 25% of the electorate. Or 33%, or depending on how things go next year here: 40%

[Valmy]

you'd be surprised how easy it is to ignore 25% of the electorate. Or 33%, or depending on how things go next year here: 40%

Lettowists should always have their aims frustrated at any cost.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Berlusconi, well, it's Berlusconi: old, yes, corrupt, probably, media tycoon, certainly (even if, in the last 20 years, despite having three TV channels, he lost two elections); but he represents a very large part of italians who don't want to vote the left, and are lacking an alternative.

Really, man? 

   

L.

Corrupt?

I always thought he was in waste management 

[Tamas]

By the way, for the italian speakers here (Sheilbh, Larch), there's an excellent article about the italian right and Berlusconi on the Corriere homepage, by PL Battista:
http://www.corriere.it/politica/speciali/2013/elezioni/notizie/26-febbraio-riscossa-del-giaguaro-battista_3b297940-7fdd-11e2-b0f8-b0cda815bb62.shtml

L.

Very interesting, thanks.

[Sheilbh]

Great documentary on Italy on BBC4 right now.

[Pedrito]

Interesting, thanks

Very interesting, thanks.

Very interesting, thanks.

I'm suspecting it's a polite way to say "I don't give a flying fuck" 

L.

[Syt]

Interesting, thanks

Very interesting, thanks.

Very interesting, thanks.

I'm suspecting it's a polite way to say "I don't give a flying fuck" 

L.

That's nice.

[Liep]

I'm suspecting it's a polite way to say "I don't give a flying fuck" 

L.

I took it as a "Hey, look at me, I know italian, too!"

[Tamas]

Interesting, thanks

Very interesting, thanks.

Very interesting, thanks.

I'm suspecting it's a polite way to say "I don't give a flying fuck" 

L.

I felt a bandwagon setting off and wanted in on the ride 

[Syt]

Survey: what will happen with Italy?



Courtesy of a satirical website.

[Pedrito]

Survey: what will happen with Italy?



Courtesy of a satirical website.

I AM THE 21%

L.

[Maladict]

Yep, I forgot you lived quite some time in Italy. ...and in my home town, too! 

L.

Yeah, mine was meant as encouragement to post interesting non-English articles.