As a dual citizen, I get the pleasure of participating in the politics on both sides of the Atlantic.
Saturday November 12, 2011 will be remembered in Italian history books as the day Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, resigned, after 17 years in office. Having spent the last 4 years living in Italy, I cannot believe the public allowed him to remain in office that long. What term limits do they have over here? Just in the last year or so Berlusconi's behavior (or lack of) has been a major embarrassment to the country. Sorry, but there isn't a good way to sugar coat Berlusconi's misadventures and sex scandals. Absolutely scandalous!!!
What happens next will be interesting for Italy. An interim PM , Mario Monti, was appointed rapidly, and the next scheduled election isn't until 2013. Several austerity measures requested by the EU will be pushed through by Monti soon. I'll be watching for Italy's reaction to those.
I'll also be watching to see if a public election is called for sooner than 2013. Wouldn't it be something if Berlusconi decided to run again?
Saturday November 12, 2011 will be remembered in Italian history books as the day Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister, resigned, after 17 years in office. Having spent the last 4 years living in Italy, I cannot believe the public allowed him to remain in office that long. What term limits do they have over here? Just in the last year or so Berlusconi's behavior (or lack of) has been a major embarrassment to the country. Sorry, but there isn't a good way to sugar coat Berlusconi's misadventures and sex scandals. Absolutely scandalous!!!
What happens next will be interesting for Italy. An interim PM , Mario Monti, was appointed rapidly, and the next scheduled election isn't until 2013. Several austerity measures requested by the EU will be pushed through by Monti soon. I'll be watching for Italy's reaction to those.
I'll also be watching to see if a public election is called for sooner than 2013. Wouldn't it be something if Berlusconi decided to run again?
3 comments:
It is almost sure that Berlusconi will run again. He failed twice (or maybe it was three times) to be reelected as a minister (I think) and each time another election came around he ran again and was elected. And he still is a minister -- just no longer Prime Minister. I don't understand the Italian Government system all that well but I know that there is both a President and a Prime Minister. The presidential post seems largely ceremonial (kind of like England's Monarchy). It's the PM that has the power. And for some reason, the Italians keep reelecting him. A clue to his intentions might be the fact that he wanted Monti to agree to step down once the crisis is solved. I also think that Berlusconi's party is angling for an advantage in Monti's decision making process as he tries to form a government.
Anyway, you are lucky to have a front row seat!
It is almost sure that Berlusconi will run again. He failed twice (or maybe it was three times) to b e reelected as a minister (I think) and each time another election came around he ran again and was elected. And he still is a minister -- just no longer Prime Minister. I don't understand the Italian Government system all that well but I know that there is both a President and a Prime Minister. The presidential posts seems largely ceremonial (kind of like England's Monarchy). Its the PM that has the power. And for some reason, the Italians keep reelecting him. A clue to his intentions might be the fact that he wanted Monti to agree to step down once the crisis is solved. I also think that Berlusconi's party is angling for an advantage in Monti's decision making process as he tries to form a government.
Anyway, you are lucky to have a front row seat!
Diane- I'm not sure I'll ever understand the Italian government! So true about having that front row seat! Let the games begin :)
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