As you may imagine, Italy is suffering from a minor bout of election fever at the moment. The general elections are just around the corner and election posters are appearing right, left, and centre.
I’ve seen a couple of amusing ones, so far. First there was this lovely one from the Berlusco-Fini duo which, much as I have done, pointed out that the left wing politcos are trying to re-package themselves in an attempt to appear new.
This was a ripe observation coming from the Berlusco-Fini camp, seeing as neither are new to Italian politics either. And I do believe that more than a few potential voters realise this.
Anyway, there was another interesting election poster. This time it was promoting one Ignazio La Russa, again a sort of right winger like Berlusco and Fini, and this poster had black and white mug shots of Veltroni and Prodi next to one another. Again the point of this not so subtle electioneering exercise appeared to be that Veltroni was about as new as Prodi. And just for good measure, the photos of Veltroni and Prodi appeared to have been re-touched a wee bit to make Veltroni look as old as Prodi. If it weren’t so sad it would be quite amusing.
Oh, and Ignazio La Russa has been in Italian politics about as long as anyone can remember, so he’s also playing the kettle, if you catch my drift.
Yes, as you may have guessed, the theme behind the current election circus in Italy is that everyone is doing his level best to portray himself as being something new. Obviously they’ve all been reading Beppe Grillo’s blog.
I’ve heard it said that Italian politicians are masters of the art of re-invention, and I’m seeing evidence of just this springing up in the election posters all over Milan.
The truth of the matter is that nobody who is making a grab for power here in the Living Museum is at all new, up to and including the almost newest of the bunch, Mr Veltroni.
Trouble is, the poor old Italian voters really have no choice. Either they get someone who they had before, and who did not manage to sort things out, or they get someone else who they had before, and did not manage to sort things out. Quips he, repeating himself.
Still, I quite like the idea of this making out you are new thing. I think I shall have a go too. Maybe I could start by pretending that I have not met anyone before. I might get some funny looks, but you never know, they may well fall for it.
By the way, I’d like to welcome you to the new Blog from Italy. Oh, I know it’s not really new, but if I tell you it is, you might just believe me. Not.
Heck, I don’t know.
AlexR says
Dear Mr Bau,
So nice to have a new commenter on my new blog. A pleasure to meet you too.
Yes, the election posters are either dull as ditch water or just downright vomitworthy. Does anyone actually fall for all this cacca?
Alas yes, I fear – aside from Beppe Grillo’s readers, that is. Just about all the under 30s I know are sick to the gills with all this stuff. I pity them.
I have not seen the hunting voter, so to speak, election poster, sounds fun in an odd sort of way.
And from what you say, they don’t need more rights, but I should not worry too much if I were you. We all know that promises made by politicians at election time are worth about as much as used toilet paper.
Oh, and I know about the 10s of millions the US politicos are great at burning during an election campaign. Italian politicians have been doing their level best to match the US electioneering circus for a few years now.
To sum up, I would quote you:
“If elections weren’t such tragedies, not to mention, travesties, they would be hilarious entertainment.”
Could not have put it better myself. Here here.
Welcome to my new blog, my newest reader!
All the best,
Alex
Gege Bau says
Wow! Congratulations on your great NEW blog!
You don’t know me – please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Gege’ Bau – a new commentor on your new blog. Glad to meet you.
As you enter our little town, just before you cross the bridge over the Tevere, there are two HUGE billboards. One of them features Silvio’s new slogan: THE LEFT HAS GOT YOU ON YOUR KNEES – STAND UP, ITALY!” Isn’t it wonderful that peoples’ memory is so short that they don’t remember that the economic crisis we now find ourselves in is actually OLDER than two years!
The other billboard, presented by that epitome of enlightened thinking, Aleanza Nazionale, features a larger-than-lifesize hunter all got up in his camoflage gear with what looks to me like a Kalashnikov, ready to take down some monstrous sparrows or squirrels. The slogan: VOTE AN FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE HUNTER’S RIGHTS!” We live in the only country in which hunters have the right to trespass on private property and shoot down practically anything that moves right outside your door. They claim to love nature (that’s why, I presume, they get pleasure from killing) yet every weekend they leave the countyside strewn with garbage. On Monday morning’s I am out there collecting beer bottles, cigarette boxes, plastic bags. What more rights do they think they deserve?… would they think we should serve them lunch? Allow them to rape and pillage?
In the interest of par condicio, let me remind you that electioneering in my native country is as pathetic as it is here. The only difference is that americans spend (waste) more money.
If elections weren’t such tragedies, not to mention, travesties, they would be hilarious entertainment.