Berlusconi Saves Italy a Fortune
As many will know, the word ’stable’ was not often used to describe Italy’s chaotic political system. However, the emergence of what is to all intents and purposes a two party system stands to save Italy a fortune.
Since the second world war, Italy has had something like 60 governments. In simple terms, that is one government per year. Such an astonishingly turbulent situation has certainly contributed towards the economic and social downward spiral Italy is now facing. Yet Silvo Berlusconi has, and is, saving Italy money. Read more
Rampaging Football Hooligans and Mafia
Last weekend rampaging football hooligans caused some half a million Euros worth of damage to a Rome bound Italian train.
Some Italians, when they find out you are English, joking mention that you must be a football hooligan, such is the infamy of English football fans.
Sadly though, Italian fans have taken to hooliganism too, and several incidents have occured, including one in which a police officer died after a Catania-Palermo match. Hard core football fans are known as ‘ultra’ in Italy, by the way. More recently though, Italy’s hooligans have been at it again. Read more
A Cat’s Chance in Hell
If you were unaware, which you may be if you are not from Italy, most of the public TV stations here are influenced by Italy’s rag tag bunch of political masters. This means that the news is presented in such a way as to support the ruling junta.
People are aware of this, especially Antonio Di Pietro’s Italia dei Valori political party, which is about the only party which is attempting to represent the wishes of the Italian people. Trying to make the TV channels here a little more impartial is also one of Di Pietro’s aims. (The English version of Di Pietro’s web site is not working at the moment - I wonder why).
To achieve this purpose, Di Pietro, along with Italy’s Radical party got together to propose Leoluca Orlando for the position of president of the body which watches over Italy’s RAI state TV network. Only the candidature is being firmly blocked by Berlusconi’s boys, who obviously fear losing the ability to manipulate the way in which RAI is operated.
In protest, Italy’s Radicals have staged a sit-in at the premises of the watchdog which monitors RAI.
As a matter of interest, Leoluca Orlando is an ex-mayor of Palermo, and is strongly anti-mafia. This is something which may not endear him to all those politicians whose fingers are stuck in Italy’s pie, and who have ‘friends’ whose wishes must be respected.
Despite the support of Italy’s Radical party and their mini-protest, Mr Orlando has a cat’s chance in hell of winning the presidency, which will be handed to someone much more ‘friendly’. Just wait and see.
-
Subscribe
News from Ansa- F1: Ferrari hope for team-work September 5, 2008Massa sees help from Raikkonen ahead of Belgian Grand Prix
- Arts guide: exhibits in Italy September 5, 2008Etruscan masterpieces from Hermitage to Cortona
- Lots of interest in new Alitalia September 5, 2008Company administrator sees new partner by end of month
- Soccer: Borgonovo in Gehrig shock September 5, 2008Ex-Milan striker's revelation stuns Italy squad
- 'Putin' nabbed by Italian police September 5, 2008Russian leader's namesake a choosy shoplifter
- Postcard delivered 36 years late September 5, 2008Snail mail may spark old friends' reunion
- Designer Schon dies September 5, 2008Milan stylist dressed Jackie Kennedy, Rockefellers
- La Lollo flashes artistic talents September 5, 2008Movie icon's sculptures inspired by cinema career
- F1: Ferrari hope for team-work September 5, 2008
-
The 442
-
