The lessons of the Italian election

In an interview with Dominique Berns, the French political analyst Guy Hermet stresses that Silvio Berlusconi's defeat should not be interpreted as the failure of populism. "With the abandonment of the old party system, [which pitted Christian democracy against the Communist party], populism nearly morphed into a political regime. ... If, this time around, Berlusconi and his allies have lost, we need to keep in mind that they were the victors twice in the past. They will be back. Italy, in a certain sense, is setting the tone because Berlusconi has introduced a completely new brand of populism. ... Berlusconi has made politics fun. Isn't this what the voters seemed to want? For politics to be less 'boring'? But what is even more important is that populism, in Italy, and in the rest of Europe, is forcing professional politicians to adapt."

» more information (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Italy
All available articles from » Guy Hermet

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, April 12, 2006