Walter Veltroni - saviour, or same old, same old?

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February 15, 2008 · Filed Under Italians

My brief profile of Walter Veltroni led to a couple of unexpected reactions. First, I received an email in Italian in support of the man, saying that he really is a great hope for Italy. And then, someone from Stateside asked, very nicely, how to contact Veltroni. No reason was given.

I have to admit that I’ve been quizzing a few Italians about Veltroni recently and nobody I spoke to, young or old, voiced any particular support for the man. Primarily because, he appears to be regarded as nothing new or fresh.

One young man observed that Veltroni had been in politics in Italy for 25 odd years. It is sounding, from this, and other comments, that Italians are seeing through this ‘repackaging’.

But the really worrying thing is that Italian politicians are viewed, especially by the young, as being totally out of touch with the life of the average Italian. Not good, seeing as they are supposed to be representing the people’s wishes.

I must have a look at the Italian constitution in order to see whether Italy’s politicians could be considered to be acting in an unconstitutional fashion.

Italy certainly is an intriguing place!

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Tags: comment, comments, contact, email, Italia, Italian, Italian politicians, Italians, Italy, People, Politics, Walter Veltroni, young

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3 Responses to “Walter Veltroni - saviour, or same old, same old?”

Gege Bau on February 15th, 2008 6:46 pm

We had dinner last night with a young couple, friends of ours though young enough to be our kids. As Silvio’s voice came gurgling out of the inevitable restaurant tv, filling the room with its foul sound and fouler words, our friends told us of their dilemma.

How, they asked us, are young people in Italy today, supposed to even find the motivation to go out and vote when the only options ever given them are the same, generations old, refried politicians? It doesn’t matter if they’re left or right - they’re all the same shit, they represent a stagnant and corrupt power structure and promise no hope for the future.

If two young, energetic, creative, resourceful people like these feel defeated by the system, what hope do other generations, younger and older, have???

Mine is not a rhetorical question. I really hope someone can come up with an answer.
Wind Rose Hotel on February 15th, 2008 7:43 pm

Alex, excuse me for the delay, I posted a few minutes ago an answer to the question you asked me in Italian (bravissimo!). Ciao
AlexR on February 16th, 2008 12:12 am

Gege’,

I keep hearing much the same from all the young people I teach, and have done for a good few years. I feel for them, I really do.

I, too, really do hope that some genuine new blood (young blood!)finally manages to reach the surface here.

Then I shall stop referring to the place as the living museum. I won’t be holding my breath though, especially if Veltroni is someone’s idea of a new face….

@Rob - thanks for your reply and the links. I shall be checking them out, although you don’t appear to be a great Veltroni fan either.

Oh dear, same old, same old….

All the best to both of you,

Alex