Out with the new, and in with the old

June 14, 2008 · Filed Under Italian politics · 3 Comments 

If you read my previous post, and one entitled ‘The Right Way?‘, you could be forgiven for thinking that Italy is on the verge of seeing something of resurgence in fascism.

Well, Beppe Grillo seems to be of the same opinion, and the title of a recent post of his ‘Fascism is Coming‘, just about says it all.

Just to add fuel to your convictions as to just what is going on in the Living Museum, you may also dislike reading Grillo’s even more recent post ‘Bricks of Gold, Truncheons of Lead‘, which tells of the sort of strong-arm police tactics beloved of extremist regimes the world over. I recommend you don’t read it.

Somewhat ironically, Grillo’s so called anti-political movement appears to have allowed those at the top to find a way to become even more entrenched than they were before.

Is indeed Italy falling, as the title of this Italian blog in English would appear to claim?

Out with the new, and in with the old.

I guess what is simmering away just beneath the surface here in Italy could be a consequence of entrusting a 71 year old with the modernisation and reform of a country.

The news media here is awash with doom and gloom items, almost as if Italy is being prepared for something…

Or am I just being paranoid? But then with the likes of Fini, Bossi, La Russa, Maroni, Calderoli, and the B man in power, maybe I have every right to be.

Wasn’t Mussolini quite chummy with the Vatican too? And I thought the RC church disdained those who are divorced.

Spooky it is. This is the 21st century, isn’t it?!

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Rome’s Right New Mayor

April 29, 2008 · Filed Under Italian politics · 2 Comments 

The left bashing trend continues in Italy, with Francesco Rutelli, the former deputy prime minister in the recently ousted Prodi government, being beaten at the mayoral polls by the neo-fascist Gianni Alemanno.

Rome now has its first right-wing mayor in ages, and the fact that the Romans were ready to put someone like Alemanno in the hot seat shows just how disillusioned Italians have become with the perpetually dithering and ineffectual left.

Alemanno the neo, sorry, post-fascist, played his cards right by following a public safety theme during his campaign and this struck the right chord with Romans, who, like many Italians, are afraid that crime rates are spiralling. Then there is the belief that the majority of the guilty are not of Italian origin. Expect a crack down on illegal immigrants from Rome’s new captain. After all, post, neo etc fascists have never been particularly foreigner friendly.

The blue touch paper may well have been lit…

Interesting times in the Living Museum. In theory plenty of good could be done and Italy may be pulled right out of the mire. With a little luck the left-wingers will wake up to the fact that they are no longer held in much regard by the people, and re-group. Maybe, possibly, some new faces will emerge. If not, Berlusconi, if he really does manage to do something, could hold onto power for even longer than his five year term.

Perhaps the Italy’s left should have forecast this scenario before engaging in selfish government-destroying little squabbles. Talk about unholy alliances.

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