euro|topics - Can Berlusconi return to power?

Główny temat z dnia Piątek, 11. Kwiecień 2008

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Can Berlusconi return to power?

Silvio Berlusconi, the Leader of the Italian rightwing opposition, hopes to win the legislative elections taking place April 13th and 14th, and retake his position as prime minister. He faces Walter Veltroni, former Mayor of Rome and leader of the Democratic Party. The European press wonders if the centre-left candidate can prevent the return to power of 'il Cavaliere'.

Le Temps - Szwajcaria

Editorialist Stephan Bussard tries to understand why Italy is about to elect Silvio Berlusconi as prime minister for a third time. "Because the country has never been so dislocated, with a prosperous north and a struggling south. This division benefits Berlusconi, who tantalises the entrepreneurial spirit in the north and the nationalist identity in the south. Because only the mention of the word 'left' scares Italians who worry about their purchasing power and tax hikes. Because Berlusconi continues to represent the illusion of success, a symptom of a country that lies to itself. 'Il Cavaliere''s probable victory is also Veltroni's defeat. The former mayor of Rome has nevertheless constructed a reformist branch of the centre-left, the Democratic Party, to split with the impossible multiform left. The strategy is sound. But he doesn't have the courage to take the centrist split all the way." (11/04/2008)

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Niemcy

In Italy the differences between left and right have long since become blurred and have been replaced by a conflict of interests between young and old, Dirk Schümer writes. "But now the country is paying the price for the paternalistic mentality of the political class and the inherent blocking of practical solutions: Italy is the country with the lowest birth-rate in Europe. ... Because the older generation easily outnumbers the younger generation in elections, the political parties are prolonging the country's agony. ... No matter how many Italians abstain from voting out of anger and desperation this weekend, and no matter which of the parties takes the lead in all the confusion, sociologist [Alessandro ] Rosino already knows who will win: the average age of the new parliamentarians will be at least 53. The marginalisation of the young, which is tantamount to social suicide, will therefore no doubt continue." (11/04/2008)

La Tribune - Francja

Frank Paul Weber, the daily's Italian correspondent, is sceptical about the viability of a grand coalition after this weekend's parliamentary elections. "The Italians are kidding themselves ... with illusions of their ability to bring about this right-left union. The grand coalition in Germany is more the rule than the exception there: the chancellors, from Kohl to Schröder, often had to work with a Bundesrat - the equivalent of the Italian Senate - controlled by their opponents. Reforms were often the fruit of long negotiations between right and left in mixed parliamentary commissions made up of representatives from both chambers. ... These everyday grand coalitions fostered in the institutions, and a certain proclivity for compromise is, by contrast, entirely absent from the Italian political scene. In this sense, the 'Veltrusconi' scenario to manage the Euro zone's third largest economy ... worries more than it reassures." (10/04/2008)

La Repubblica - Włochy

Italian film director Nanni Moretti gives his reasons for voting for the Democratic Party and argues that abstention is not an option in these elections. "I don't like the idea of 'a vote that counts'. Personally, I have no doubt about my vote. The Democratic Party is the only new thing in Italian political life, and it could be the ultimate opportunity to withhold the country from the extremists, Berlusconi and Bossi [the leaders of the North League]. Unfortunately, with left-wing voters, just like right-wing ones, there is a strong temptation to abstain. The undecided are certainly undecided because they are disillusioned, tired or used to it. The disappointment with the centre-left government is understandable, but it must not make us forget the real political, cultural and ethical abyss between the centre-left and the right ... ." (11/04/2008)

Die Presse - Austria

Whether it's Berlusconi or Veltroni who wins, according to Wieland Schneider, neither will be able to guide the country out of its present social crisis. "Economic growth is stagnating at around zero percent and inflation is at its highest level in over ten years. The price of food and other everyday goods has risen and the budgets of many families are getting tighter. ... Powerful unions that block reforms, an overblown yet inefficient state administration and widespread cronyism - all these things represent an additional burden for this already exhausted country. And there's no help to be expected from the politicians because they're part of the system. ... There's still no sign of an end to Italy's downward spiral." (11/04/2008)

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