Yesterday in the US, Italy’s prime minister Enrico Letta announced he was optimistic on the political stability front in Italy. A few hours later, Silvio Berlusconi stated, once again, that he would topple Italy’s government.
Prime Minister Letta was reportedly not too happy to hear Berlusconi’s latests threats and his face probably turned as red as fine Italian wine at the news.
Everybody is worried about the political stability of Italy. Europe is watching carefully, the IMF is observing the Boot too. While it has not been mentioned, one is certain newly re-elected Angela Merkel is keeping tabs on the Italy situation.
Italy’s President Napolitano has called upon Italy’s ever bickering politicians to stop quarrelling countless times, but his voice simply is not being heard. Indeed, he is being totally ignored.
Nearly two years ago, Silvio Berlusconi was ousted as Italy’s prime minister. Rumour has it that the EU virtually told Italy to get rid of Berlusconi, or else. Berlusconi went, but did not really go and is still very much in the thick of it today. Berlusconi is also a major cause of political instability. This Italy observer has lost count of the number of times he has threatened to bring down Italy’s government which is something he does have the power to do.
Many probably thought removing Berlusconi would set sick old Italy on the path to recovery, but that simply has not been the case. If anything Italy, and Italians, are much worse off today than they were before Berlusconi was toppled. Italy’s public debt is spiralling upwards and looks to be completely out of control. Yet the government keeps spending money it has not got and pushing debt levels ever higher. No wonder the IMF is keeping a close eye on Italy.
Back during Berlusconi’s reign not much got done because of Berlusconi’s mounting legal woes. Then came Monti who, after a reasonably good start, completely lost control and ended up stalling on account of Italy’s ever bickering politicians. Berlusconi then toppled Monti and elections were held at the start of this year. The elections were a complete and utter failure and left Italy with an even more unstable government made up of pro-Berlusconi PdL people and sort of anti-Berlusconi PD people. The two opposing factions bickered all the time and they are still bickering now. The PdL bickers with the PD and the PD bickers with itself. Nothing particularity constructive has been done and it looks highly unlikely it will. Essential reforms are conspicuous by their absence.
After 7 months an essential anti organised crime commission still does not exist. Why? You guessed it – bickering.
How Italy’s Prime Minister can be optimistic about political stability is a mystery. Italy’s government may, or may not, survive until the end of next week. That is not political stability at all, now is it?
John Castle says
I think it was pretty clear to anyone at the time wasn’t it (not criticising your piece at all Alex) that Berlusconi was effectively removed by Europe. I don’t think you need to be a conspiracy theorist to think this or be addicted to dietrologia. You just need to put yourself in Europe’s shoes and all is clear and reasonable, if sad.
I’m just amazed that on the surface at least Europe seems as calm as it is about Italy and its lack of government. And in the UK reporting of Italy is as poor/near non existent as it has always been, so there isn’t a general concern about Italy.
The only way out of this I can see is to ban Italy and Italians (or tax them every time they utter such stuff) from wittering on about the sun, the wine, the women, the bella this, the bella that, for at least two years and apply their undoubted energy and intelligence to nation building for a bit. I do have other solutions, or have had over the last few years, but they are somewhat more extreme and it may be too late for some of them
Apologies if this is somewhat gloomy.
From a desperate Italy lover.
Alex Roe says
Hi John,
That Europe kicked Berlusconi out, if indeed that was the case, won’t be made public for plenty of good reasons. The power Europe can exert is something it likes to keep quiet, but it’s little more than the, strong, majority telling the, weak, minority what to do. Nothing new in that really.
As for keeping quiet about Italy, that’s probably what’s been decided as the best thing to do, for now. Italy is a potential problem, but not a real problem just yet and keeping calm should help the economic recovery which does seem to be happening in other areas of Europe.
Italians are starting to talk a little less about the sun, the wine and the women, but the application of their considerable energy and intelligence to sorting out Italy is not yet evident. Remember, Italian politics has been a mess for ages and Italians are tired of it all, and the fatigue seems to be keep many from doing something – with the exception of the 5 Star Movement which is the only hope sitting on the horizon.
I, too, have other solutions, but, like yours, they would not be popular even if they would do Italy a lot of good. Trouble is, my solutions are not really permitted under Italian law. And no, am not implying violence at all.
Being gloomy is realistic.
All the best from one Italy enthusiast to another,
Alex
FrankCanada says
Europe told Italy to get rid of Berlusconi or else? If Italy is listening to a bunch of light in the loafer germans, no wonder there is a crisis. Italy must lead from within, that is the only hope for Europe & the world at large.
Alex Roe says
Not Italy listening – being told what to do. Italy is weak, Germany is strong. As for Italy leading from within, little hope of that – far too busy bickering and playing power monopoly! Love them or loathe them, Germany has managed to keep itself afloat during the crisis, Italy, on the other hand, has barely got its hair above water.
Cheers,
Alex