By popular demand I write about these elections. I state that I speak on behalf of the staff and do not "blog" (which also includes all other employees). I state that my comments are simply the result of what I saw, what I now think. I state that I will help mainly the source: The International (weekly, which translates and publishes articles of a large number of newspapers around the world about the events Italian, political or not).
Pre-election
- The election campaign was run, I can safely say on behalf of all, a worthy undertone and without face-off between the suitors. The faces were the same, the arguments of the campaign still less and less in-depth by the candidates than in 2006. Berlusconi, Bertinotti, Fini, Veltroni, Casini, Bossi ... always the same ... to demonstrate that politics is full of young people, but it is old ... old and sexist (though with some exceptions in the left and the radical right). It 'was a sight to say the least, distressing, either because the thought anti-political movement in our country want to the disappointment of a policy which has failed to enabling their citizens. - Candidates premier gave rise to a debate (mind you at a distance) weak and thin-speaking content. Veltrusconi tried in all possible ways to orient useful Italians to vote! This acclaimed useful vote that was not really that useful (such as those who left the board voted to read this article ). Veltrusconi has damned so long to "kick out" by the parliament as the Rainbow Left parties, UDC, the right and others who did not stay together (Berlusconi and Veltroni) only have time to circulate their songs, their slogans and photocopies (the programs). Italy was then established between the right to vote (voting not applicable), PDL (useful vote that rewarded those who do not have balls or obtuse ..), the UDC (score not applicable), PD (useful vote that rewarded those who have never played the program in your opponent), La Sinistra Arcobaleno (score not applicable).
elections of 13 and 14 April 2008:
- The turnout in these elections was around 80% (83% in 2006). 3 percentage points below that may be explained in what has been the wave Beppe Grillo, or one that simply is simplistic and the disillusionment of the Italians against a policy less and less attentive or attentive to their needs, but unable to solve problems. - Here are the results of the election:
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC
The results show the clear and definite intention of Italians believed and followed the thoughts of the "useful vote". This is evident in the disappearance of the Rainbow Left (Communist Refoundation only took the 5% and passes in the House and Senate more than 8% in 2006), which did not reach the quorum or the room, let alone the Senate, in near elimination of the UDC and the absence in the parliament and the senate of the right hand.
LE MONDE says about the elections:
"The charm of a storyteller disturbing"
thought that the Italians had been burned by the two preceded the Berlusconi government (1994-1996 and 2001-2006). Italy was not outgoing or larger or richer. But apparently the appeal of old billionaire continues to operate. Silvio Berlusconi easily won the elections of 13 and 14 April. His new party, the PDL has a solid majority in the House and Senate, with the help of the Northern League. The extremist movement of Umberto Bossi has doubled its votes.
The return of Silvio Berlusconi is the first defeat of the left. The former Rome mayor Walter Veltroni, has failed to convince centrist voters, and has cut all ties with the radical left, removed from parliament. It failed to make us forget the difficulties of the center-left government of Romano Prodi.
The government of Prodi had undertaken courageous reforms made necessary by the five years of disastrous management of the center. But he revived corporatism, disappointed the communist allies and has alienated the support of those small centrist parties from which their survival depended. The sensational case of garbage in Naples, which was not directly responsible, has revealed the impotence of the state.
Around bipartisanship
Berlusconi has once again benefited from the rejection of politics, which is not an Italian specialty, but that fuels the spread of a peninsula in the populism of the left and right. His successful business man and also his legal problems back to her advantage. Even if miracles do not promises more - how could they still believe the Italians? - Its impudence it helps to be convincing.
The good news is that these elections, despite a complicated electoral system, two major forces have appeared on the right and left, suggesting the emergence of a two-party system. The bad Silvio Berlusconi has news is that after these elections, a large majority that will allow him to govern for five years. Judging from its past, it is impossible not to be worried. "
Mind you that are not my words but those of one of the most respected newspapers in the world.
To give you an even more comprehensive, worldwide, also carry the article in the Folha de Sao Paulo (Brazil):
"Two years ago, just over half of Italians drew a sigh of relief at the defeat of Silvio Berlusconi. Today, just over half of Italians have decided to return to government. With the victory of his coalition in the House and Senate, the information magnate won third term as Prime Minister.
What has changed since 2006? There was the center-left government of Romano Prodi, made up of a broad coalition that included Catholics and Communists. As often happens in Italian political life, the government has become hostage to the interests of the parties that supported him, sinking in the status quo and inefficiency.
For fifteen years the Italian economy is growing at a slower rate than the European average. Structural reforms are necessary, that no government can accomplish. And it is unlikely that we succeed Berlusconi. This is the same character, except for minor improvements to the pension system and the world of work, committed the most of your energy to promote ad personam laws to protect its business and those of his party.
E 'was because of these laws that the Knight was able to escape the processes that had to face charges of money laundering, criminal association, corruption and tax evasion. 3.0 Berlusconi, however, has an advantage over previous versions. This time, leads a coalition of three parties and in all probability will have a more stable government. Until
in Italy do not support a reform program to alleviate the state machine, giving more flexibility to work and raise the retirement age, the difficult economy and political change. "
are only two articles, but now I am going to write in a few sentences taken from other highly respected daily:
Ian Fisher - The New York Times - U.S.
"The Italians rejected the sober seriousness of the outgoing prime minister, Romano Prodi, in a time of great uncertainty have chose a man who almost always flaunting his experiences in public: clownish attitudes, the corruption scandals, through the stormy relationship with his wife and with allies up to the hair that grows back and getting darker. "
Le Soir - Belgium:
" Berlusconi's political longevity raises a lot of curiosity. A man so little affection for the common good and always ready to defend its interests can once again convince the majority of voters. Why? Berlusconi is a populist, and populists are not comfortable with the exercise of power. But the knight. Perhaps because he and his constituents are a thousand miles away from the idea that we have the State and its servants. Most Italians do not believe in this idea. In a society where individualism triumphs, Silvio Berlusconi played the part of the more "cunning", who is smarter than the others to pull out of politics. And processes. "
Stéphane Bussard - Le Temps - Switzerland:
" Knight owes part of his electoral success to the strong growth of the Northern League, a populist, xenophobic, secessionist and anti-European. But one thing is to win, and another to govern a country in crisis. The Italians are limited to reject the past, without innovative projects for the future. "
The Independent - UK:
" Berlusconi has the power to make reforms that need to Italy. She'll really? So far, he was at pains to protect its interests and those of people who can help him. Maybe now will change. But if it will not, Italy is bound to five years of crisis, with the terrible prospect that the Knight then tries to get himself elected President of the Republic for seven years. We do exorcisms! "
I could go on much, but maybe it's not nice of me to represent (although they are not my words) the darling of the voters of the PDL for what it is and that only media Italian media can not paint as you should.
Then I turn to some My personal considerations:
- I believe, as I said over and over again, that the tactics of the "useful vote" was explained badly, unfairly, by both groups of plants, PD and PDL.
- I believe that the disappearance of the Rainbow Left, and with it that of other parties outside parliament today (except the Right and all those parties further to the right on my own that are anti-constitutional) and the Senate is a serious sign of approval and forced destruction of several parliamentary and beyond. Think of the battles as I say, the PACS, divorce, gender issues (women), the fight against discrimination in a more generic sense of the term, abortion, no to nuclear power, the TAV, the bridge over the Strait, NO VAT, and a host of other issues, and open our eyes to this cruel truth is, ahivoi who do not think so, good for me or for you.
- I believe that the media has played a decisive role in this election. I believe that the media have helped Berlusconi and his idiotic skits that have nothing to do with politics at the expense of serious people, at least that (rightly or wrongly) to have at heart the interest of the country. I am amazed every day that the Italians give confidence to a politician with a terrifying past. I am surprised that the Italians still reward a united right (hypocritically) only for the issues on immigration (which the media have very willing addressed in these two years to know who ...).
- I believe that the bitter defeat of the Left Rainbow can not, however, drop to the low afluenza at Berlusconi's charisma, to vote and useful to the media, while providing both a large redistribution of the votes. I believe that we can not hide the fact that in the north, the League has definitely accapparrata many votes of workers and employees, which in 2006 had chosen the radical left. It 's a terrible shot that goes, however, understood and slowly metabolized. La Sinistra Arcobaleno change management hours (finalmente..) And I hope to give space to young people (although certainly one of the parties that gives more space to young people and women) who can handle the experience and the political and intellectual journey of the party and left of true!
Good work for Berlusconi and his!
