Ugh -Current Italian politics

03/31/2013 - 21:01

Occasionally, when I feel a bit passionate, or I hear idiot stuff from - let me just describe them as interested parties - I feel the need to defend Beppe Grillo. He has been described as a comic, and as a clown - I do not accept these descriptions - I would rather have him described as a satirist (compare with Ian Hislop for example). I believe he is being consistently sensible (also logical) in the view that having an elected parliament in Italy is enough: all the deputies (senators) have a vote - so where does a party or coalition control enter? What is the virtue in any 'government'? Think about this, and ask who is trying to destroy this irrefutable logic. Ignore the positioning of Berlusconi punting for presidency - that (if it happens, hopefully and expectedly not) is a ghastly red herring ...Sorry - just very pissed off today by opinions from young Italians who truly seem to have lost the plot, solely because a non partisan (or non coalition) government is outside their mindset. To be honest, even these youngsters are frighteningly cowed by the presentation by Goldman Sachs or Fitch by the devil Grillo as the bogeyman.Italy needs to change - but the old guard are determined to make it awfully difficult. Grillo is deteimined to make change happen. Of course nobody likes him, but he is a shining light. There you go - flag posted to the mast - arguments and discussion very welcome, but you know where I am coming from!

Comment

i pretty much agree with that,filide. especially the fact that the old order are giving "filo da torcere" in that they do not want to close the curtains on their hegemony of power (see money) in this country.

The bigger picture though needs to have the Italian Constitution changed to allow a non party system to perform. This change in the Law will never be sanctioned as the 'Perks' of being in the Upper or Lower houses will not be given up easily by the Members; and this type of non party Government (not a Coalition) has no other Countries in the World to base it's success or failure on unless it is a single Party.

what we need is a new form of politics, and given that Italy's system of Government is so broken, perhaps Italians could take the lead. interestig review by David Runciman of the above book in the Guardian yesterday (sorry don't know how to insert a link using a Tablet)

I totally agree Fillide. Well said.

But Italy does not need a "satirist" or a clown. Italy needs a democratic and honest government that will be able to introduce all the reforms which are long overdue. They possibly need someone like Renzi who has an excellent reform program. Unfortunately, the old guard in the PD thought differently. And here are the consequences. Grillo and his M5S is just another protest party that stemmed from Hessel's protest manifesto. Italy is no exception, there are a few similar movements in other EU countries, but besides protesting, they have achieved little or nothing. Grillo has been more successful because he is using very well the electronic media. OR perhaps it's Casaleggio. And which are Casaleggio's role and ambitions in all this? What is the future of this protest movement?Italians are good at protesting. They voted Cicciolina a few years ago as a "protest" vote or a joke. But the current situation is not fit for jokers, satirists, clowns, or opportunists.

like any reality programme that respects itself,you've got to have "stuff" for the next episode..... italian politics,our biggest reality show has just pulled out the second episode since the election.Following a couple of weeks of " Bersani the explorer" ,who actually achieved nothing...we now have " I DIECI SAGGI" , ten wise men(?)! so we'll see what that means...shortly.The right have already called this a coup d'etat....probably the left too and 5 stelle too..so it sounds exiting (if you don't fancy crying) gotta wait for the next episode now to find out 1. if we'll die off slowly but inexorably or 2. we'll go off in a bang or 3. someone...Merkel(?) cameron(?) putin(?) will rush in to save us from ourselves.

I think that fresh elections are inevitable. I only hope that this time they will vote using their brains with the intention of electing those who may be able to reform the country and clean it from corruption. And that they will have the right candidates to choose from. Not too much to ask, really. I hope it is not "Mission Impossible".

Gala 'They' did vote with their brains, it was the stupid who voted for the lies of the PDL and the ones scared of change that voted for the PD. If 'They' have to vote again I think the numbers will way heavier to the 5 Stelle as most realise now, that they are the ones who WILL change everything and not just slip back into the old, corrupt and wasteful Governments of the past.

Flip You have summed up the political situation perfectly Hopefully we will have new elections and the 5star party make further gains

there is a (small) hope that the externations of the mayor of firenze ( new rising star of the decrepit left wing in italy?) could create a situation in which negotiations between major parties could permit the election of the new president of the republic ( the name of emma bonnino has been ventilated which would be excellent) which would then permit the setting out of a new electoral system( for which there is a desperate need) after which new elections could be held which would then absolutely designate a new government..anyway an uphill journey..still (ma la speranza è l'ultima a morire) that was based on this morning's news..tomorrow could change again!)

Emma Bonino al Quirinale! Great choice! And Renzi is right. Italy is wasting precious time with this gridlock.

yes,i agree

Yes Emma Bonino, looks to be a good bet, and seems very savvy of Italian Politics. Lets hope though with a name very similar to a well know Canine Biscuit, she doesn't make a Dogs Dinner of the job.