The Italian coalition government is under threat

On January 23rd, Romano Prodi's Italian government will be submitted to a vote of confidence in the Chamber of deputies following the breaking away of a small party in its majority (UDEUR) provoked by the resignation of Justice minister, Clemente Mastella. Massimo Gianinni anticipates the fall of the governmental coalition. "Between big mountains of rubbish [in Naples] and petty personal revenge, the last hours of the Romano Prodi government are turning into a political nightmare and media torture. Nothing is ever normal, straight forward. ... In any other modern European country, a majority falls in Parliament when there is a breach in policy that electors notice and for which they accept no explanations. Only in Italy can the leader of a minor party announce the end of a political majority in a press conference, without previously explaining its motives in parliament ... . "

» to the homepage (external link, La Repubblica)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Italy
All available articles from » Massimo Giannini

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, January 22, 2008