No fear of Berlusconi

The Italian Catholic weekly Famiglia Cristiana recently criticised Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's domestic policy and warned of the danger of a new wave of fascism in Italy. The daily Süddeutsche Zeitung does not share these fears. "Famiglia Cristiana, Italy's major Catholic weekly, has provoked an uproar by warning in a commentary about the danger of a new wave of fascism in Rome. ... But this fascist alarm is clouding the issue rather than clarifying it. ... Berlusconi is no militarist, no imperialist and no nationalist. He is preoccupied with assets rather than 'national values'. Rather than megalomania he is driven only by vanity. ... This permanent spectacle keeps us entertained and diverts our attention from the country's problems. It blunts the citizens' critical awareness. This alone, without the threat of fascism, is sufficient cause for concern. But vital counteracting forces are at work in Italy in politics, society, the media and the Church. Among them are magazines like Famiglia Cristiana and critical members of the clergy in the diocese and at the Vatican."

» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Print media, » Italy

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, August 19, 2008