photo: Spiegel
As the spectacle of Italian politics unfolds in its most tragic, and comic, evolutions, it seems the victor has the spoils. But in this case, the victor did not even have to soil his hands in the battle.
Others, with their utter incompetence, and lack of coherence, have enabled a reshuffling of the cards that has exposed the utter indifference to the public's needs and requests. And in so doing, paved the way for the return of the man. The man being the reviled, and in some cases loved, Silvio Berlusconi.
With tactics that leave all the but the hardened veterans speechless, Italian lawmakers have re-elected their president, something that has never happened before. The aging politician, who is almost 90 years old, has accepted his appointment, although he had denied any willingness to stay only a few weeks ago.
Of course, the President is a figurehead in a country like Italy, where the executive power rests chiefly with the prime minister, and that brings us exactly to how the wily Berlusconi might just be able to return to this seat.
The squabbling Parliament, now in part occupied by left party members who have denounced their leaders' actions, has shown what years of corruption and a myriad party system can wreak on a country that is at odds with itself.
Before the elections, many presaged that the left party, the PD, would win with a wide margin. Others predicted a landslide for the runaway rebel Five Star party, headed by the surly and curly mr. Grillo, himself an ineligible candidate, which did not materialize.
The true victor, it seems, with a defeat by a very narrow margin in the recent elections was just said Berlusconi's party and himself.
Of course many see the ex-president's re-appointment as a confirmation of the secret entente among the leading parties. It is also no secret that Berlusconi is closely affiliated with the aging president.
Still a coalition is not materializing. What will it take for one to occur? Anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's. In fact whatever does consolidate, in whatever jelled form of strange bedfellows it appears, is no guarantee that it will hold. The aging president in fact, has powers to dictate exactly how he wants the coalition to be formed.
He could also call new elections. And that would be music to Berlusconi's ears.
After the disgraceful fall of the left wing party, the PD, this past week that seemed to be unable to hold on to even the slighest sliver of dignity, Berlusconi's party has the definite advantage of being the party where all the disappointed voters might find refuge. And polls seem to reflect just that.
Of course there are people who say that the left wing party could swallow its pride and ask either Grillo and his Five Star movement in the coalition, or, perish the thought, ask the aging Berlusconi to join them. Either way, the political landscape of Italy has been irretrievably soiled.
But as all this develops, Italy is sinking further into an economic depression. Thus, the economic bankruptcy seems to be mirrored by the moral bankruptcy of its politicians.
Source: Spiegelonline 4.22.13
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