Berlusconi as absolute ruler

Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano has criticised Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's high-handed style of government. Only recently Berlusconi managed to push through new laws without prior discussion in parliament. Delo newspaper voices concern. "He considers parliament to be too slow and ineffective and therefore superfluous. He doesn't even talk to the opposition. ... Berlusconi is convinced he can rule alone, for this is the only way he will be able to keep his campaign pledges. ... Berlusconi believes one cannot rule effectively with the old parliamentary system and the old rules. Observers [thus] fear that he could use decrees to 'reform' the system in such a way that would allow him to take over the presidential office. But before he does this - in his capacity as prime minister and leader of the parliamentary majority - he will secure the kind of powers for himself that the presidents in France and the US have."

» full article (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Italy
All available articles from » Tone Hocevar

» To the complete press review of Thursday, October 9, 2008