If I had been still living in England, I would have regarded today's events with the usual slight amusement that I , and many others outside Italy no doubt, always felt when Italian politics made the headlines.

Not so today. Living here, I have taken more of an interest in what goes on, and it can be rather depressing. Another round in the "Ping Pong" match has come to an end, and the smart money seems to be on the slightly more aged geriatric of the two gaining (or regaining) power.

Where is all the "new blood"??

Italy has produced some of the best brains the world has ever seen, has (arguably) the best food, great wine, beautiful architecture, art, weather, people... (need I go on?) - all let down by a disasterous system of government.

A strong government would attract the investment Italy badly needs (if Fiat won't even build the new 500 here, why should outside investors bother?).

I really hope the outcome of this latest collapse will see improvements that will benefit Italy and its' citizens, not the politicians.

But what about the return of Berlusconi
Is that realy what Italy needs / deserves ?
Seen from Denmark he is a corupt and scrubeless right wing!

Ciao

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Saluti!

"La Vita e'incerta, mangiate il dolce per primo."

Billato - no, I don't think Berlusconi is what Italy needs or deserves, but I'm not Italian, can't vote here, and my "opinion" won't help anyone here, including myself.

It is up to the Italian voters, who at the moment (hopefully this will change before the next elections), are stuck with the most democratic system in the world, which has the downside of enabling the the least voted-for party to destabilise the government elected by the majority.

I would love to see a younger, passionately patriotic, preferably poor (or at least with no business interests to divert him or her!) politician, who could make Italy a place where not only Italians want to live, but somewhere where businesses want to invest, and one in which Italy can capitalise on all of the countless natural and cultural blessings it has, for the rest of the world to enjoy (and pay for!).

Pie in the sky? Maybe,but I'm sure it can be done - just take a look through the posts on this site to see how many Italians are passionate about their country and culture, and want the world to share it.

There are many problems to be overcome, but, as the national football team has often demonstrated, Italians are at their best one goal down, and only ten men on the field! - Let's hope that is true for politics too!

The situation in Italy is like a Punch and Judy show. Markymark is right in what he says, and I have to echo his question: where is the new blood?

There is a lot of talk here about reforms of the political system, with a move towards a two party system. However, I can't see how the parties could ever come down on one side or the other. And if they did, the in-party wrangling that would ensue would undoubtedly destroy the party from within.

As a foreign resident in Italy who is unable to vote I don't take as much interest in the politics of the country as maybe I should. Yet at the same time I don't have the same optimism as Markymark. The national football team has always had pedigree, the same can't be said for the politicians who are only out for themselves and not the people they are elected to serve.

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As italian I have to regret about my politic establishment. Since I am 18teen I allways had the same problem during my election vote. Wich one? Right or left? =)
The problem is allways the same: Left or right is allways the same.
The fact that the government felt because a little party just change the direction. I am thinking now: how feel now all the peaple that vote this little party few years ago and change the "flag site"?

Indro Montaneli (one of our most important writer of the last century) sad once:
Even during the roman empire the senators use to still money from the citizens. But Fuck!! They made an empire also...

Now we are sit on our sofas freeze like pice of ice, stuck! Thinking who will be the next one?

If the next one will be Berlusconi.. I am asking my self...
Will we have a future?

We will no have future because if our future is again Berlusconi...
We will live the past again!

I am so sad!! And I am not left or right...
I just want a good govern wich will lead this country well!

Cheers

One of Italy’s biggest drawbacks is (and has always been) its political system, which continues to suffer from many fundamental weaknesses that intensify the problems that we see today.


Italy needs radical reforms, strong and exceptional leadership, and governance with integrity. However, whoever does end up taking up the helm will face an unenviable job. Having said that, it seems that another problem Italy suffers from is a lack of unity.


Personally, I concur with the following view espressed in "Italy and its Discontents" in that:


“It is all too easy to attribute to the political classes, both of the left and of right, the sole responsibility for the failures of a state or society, In the last analysis, the strength of a democracy in a single country does not depend only upon the capability or the integrity of its ruling élite, but also upon the culture of its families and the energy of its citizens.”

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CJ
Magical Marche &
Luchetti & Partners Studio Legale Tributario

What has struck me since moving to Italy is how passionate people are about politics, especially the young. Mention a topical subject to them and they have an opinion. To me this is very healthy, and much better than what exists in the UK where people are generally apathetic to what is going on in government, even though the UK is considered to have one of the best political systems in the world.

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Politics in Italy is all pervasive (as it is anywhere in the world) and I agree that people are passionate about politics here, yet all of this passion and rhetoric is not enough and something is missing.

I missed a bit from my post and that is the point about a lack of unity.

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CJ
Magical Marche &
Luchetti & Partners Studio Legale Tributario

Wow, what a great thread. Being, myself, a non Italian living in Italy, I totally agree with Markymark. There was an intense article in the Financial Times two days ago about how Italy's international buisness is falling rapidly because no one wants to invest in a government so complex and corrupt. I seriously hope that someone can come in and fix this growing problem! I totally agree about fresh blood! Where are all the young people? Where is the next generation Italians who will be the future of this country?
Italy is such an amazing country, and holds incredile potential but someone (new) needs to come in and give the nation a much needed attitude change.

Luvtorino is that the article that appeared on the 22nd? If it is, it mentioned how McDonalds nearly pulled out of Italy.

I suspect this has more to do with Italy's culture of culinary perfection rather than the intricacies of government....

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CJ
Magical Marche &
Luchetti & Partners Studio Legale Tributario