Hallelujah
Nov 11th 2011
NOT since Silvio Berlusconi's erstwhile political sponsor, Bettino
Craxi, fled to Tunisia to avoid being jailed for corruption, has an Italian
prime minister left office in such humiliated fashion.Last night,
after finally resigning, Mr Berlusconi slipped out of a side door of the
president's palace to dodge a raucous mob. The media and property
magnate ended his fourth government, and very probably his career in
politics, to cries of “buffoon”, “Mafioso” and “face trial”.The
crowd, over a thousand strong, that gathered outside the old residence of the
popes on the Quirinal hill was largely good-humoured. Every so often, as it
waited for Mr Berlusconi's arrival, a choir would burst into a rendition
of the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's "Messiah". But
when his limousine eventually turned up, Mr Berlusconi was left in no doubt
about the anger and loathing that many Italians feel towards him. And when
the news that he had finally stepped down filtered out of his meeting with
President Giorgio Napolitano, there was an explosive roar of delight.Mr
Berlusconi should not be surprised. According to a poll conducted on November
4th and 5th for Sky Italia television, 71% of Italians favoured his early
resignation. His personal approval rating in a poll at the end of last month
for the daily La Repubblica was just 22%. He is seen by many as the man who
partied and exposed Italy to international ridicule while the country slipped
towards the abyss.This morning Mario Monti, the former European commissioner
who many expect to succeed Mr Berlusconi, emerged from his hotel to find a
group of reporters waiting for him. “Have you seen what a splendid day it
is?” he asked them.
See the full article
http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/11/end-berlusconi
I found it interesting that Time magazine correlated his departure to the "pressure of the markets — which drove Italy’s borrowing costs to record highs this week — and the European Union, which could not risk his dragging down the euro and with it the world economy." But I think it's safe to say when you have a multitude of sex scandals and party that the country loses its respect and favor for the leader. Time magazine went even further disregarding the loss of respect by thinking it wasn't "the sex scandals, the corruption trials against him or even a loss of popular consensus that appeared to end Mr. Berlusconi’s 17 years as a dominant figure in Italian political life." Interesting!
ReplyDeleteIf Berlusconi’s political sponsor had to flee to Tunisia to avoid being jailed for corruption, it should come as no surprise to Berlusconi that he is leaving his office humiliated. I feel as though Berlusconi even further humiliated himself by slipping out of the side door like he was just a common crook. It probably made him appear to be even more of a joke to the Italian people. The Italian crowd successfully ended his fourth government, and they may have completely ended his political career. It is a good thing he has his singing career left. It is rather sad that such an important figure in Italian politics left his office to cries of buffoon and Mafioso.
ReplyDeleteIf Berlusconi would have done his job instead of partying, and ridiculing Italy in front of the world, he may still be the prime minister. The people of Italy are not going to sit and watch their country fall into ruin and be happy about it. In early November, 71% of the population favored his resignation. This is a large number of people that are unhappy with his job performance. It should have come to no shock to the Italian government or people when he resigned since that is what they clearly wanted.
The Italian government’s choice of Mr. Monti to succeed Berlusconi is a good decision. Plus, any one would be hard pressed to create the damage that Berlusconi did. The idea of having a government ran by technocrats with no party allegiance seems to be some relief for the Italian government. Since they have no party allegiance, they can get down to business and start helping Italy gain some economic growth. Since their backgrounds will be academic, they probably better understand the crisis facing the country. It should be interesting to see how Mr. Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PdL) party takes to the new government of Mr. Monti.
Italy perplexes me to no end. I Just don’t understand how a nation can switch governments like people switch shoes. I just don’t understand how you can go about it so casually. I actually don’t understand how all of Italian politics is overly casual. Berlusconi makes George W. Bush look like the most professional politician to walk this planet. How does Prime Minister gain a reputation as a party boy when the nation he is supposed to be running is slowing slipping into bankruptcy with the possibility of taking the rest of the European Union down with it. I mean the United States has had some neglectful and preoccupied public officials but it seems that Italy can’t find a government that can sustain itself for any sort of time. The nation has no stability, it is not a big surprise that the nation stands of crumbling under its own deficit. Monti, the gentleman replacing him at least doesn’t seem like a complete half whit like his predecessor. He is at least suspected of favoring experience for his cabinet over favoritism. I like that his likely selection for foreign ministry is Amato, a guy who has been selected to be interim Prime Minister during some of the nation’s most turbulent times, so one can at least assume the man will be able to handle high intensity situations. Also, the fact that he would show the good measure to hire someone as finance minister who career has revolved around revenue and making sure it continues to flow. The fact that Tabellini ran one of the largest business universities in the nation would hopefully bode him success. Still, I don’t have much faith in the Italian government and it ability to have any staying power. I give the current administration a year and a half max
ReplyDeleteMr. Berlusconi has left Italy’s reputation in complete shambles. I find it absurd that Mr. Party boy (I mean Mr. Berlusconi) was the Prime Minister of Italy. When your citizens want one of their politicians to resign prior to the end of his term, that is just a royal mess-up. Mario Monti is definitely the right choice for the position of Prime Minister. Monti has completely removed the politicians out of the politics. With the resignation of Berlusconi, the President felt the government needed a new image since he immediately called to create a new government.
ReplyDeleteAs a technocrat, Mario Monti, plans on working with a group of select academics who have no political ties; they just want to stabilize the current crisis in Italy. Mr. Monti is a previous European commissioner; he has the expertise to control the economic disaster found in Italy. Also, he has the image Berlusconi lacked, of a serious professional trying to better his nation. It has been rumored that Giuliano Amato will be the candidate for the foreign ministry; he has been present in Italian politics during times of stress and crisis. Although, Mr. Monti is not a politician, he is thinking like one, choosing the best candidate for each position in his cabinet.
In times of turmoil, party preference should go out the window and the government must unite in order to return Italy into stability (something that has been lacking for years). Berlusconi not only left Italy as a joke but also in ruins; he was compared to Craxi, who left the Prime Minister’s office and fled to Tunisia after being accused of corruption. And the fact that Italy’s citizens celebrated to the extent they did shows Berlusconi’s ineptitude as a politician. I really hope Italy learns from its many mistakes, it seems as though they have with Monti replacing Berlusconi.
Once again Italy has their tail between their legs as another Italian Prime Minister leaves office in a humiliating fashion, after a far too late resignation. Mr. Berlusconi slipping out of a side door of the president's palace to dodge a raucous mob is so typical of Italy’s governing officials. The cries of “buffoon” from the Italian people seem befitting, although Mr. Berlusconi should not be surprised by the Italians disdain for him, after Sky Italia’s poll showed Mr. Berlusconi’s personal approval rating just 22%.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Mario Monti's idea of having a technocrat filled cabinet is a marvelous idea. Since he has completely removed the politicians out of the politics, hopefully these new appointed cabinet members will refrain from personal gain agendas. They should since they also do not have any party allegiance, therefore leaving them unbiased in their decision making. Hopefully these intelligent academics will aid Italy in getting back on her feet economically. They just want to stabilize the current crisis in Italy, something that Italy is OBVIOUSLY lacking (look at their track record of elected officials.) Honestly, I do not think it would be that hard to accomplish. I mean Berlusconi left Italy and its economic wellbeing in ruins, so being at rock bottom, the only way for Italy to go is up.
The members of Monti’s new cabinet are made up with both old faces (Giuliano Amato, a socialist who has time and again been a player at times of national stress) and new ones (Guido Tabellini, the rector of Milan's business-oriented Bocconi University.) However, the Pdl (People of Freedom Party) has been almost split in half by Monti’s new cabinet. The fact that he appointed these new cabinet members instead of holding elections disturbs some people. All I know is something drastic needs happen, and I think Monti is the guy with enough courage to get the job done.
Although Americans are not new to the idea of scandalous political leaders, Clinton, Nixon, Senator Wiener, and last but not least Herman Cain-- the obvious party boy actions of Berlusconi is rather shocking. Italy is facing great embarrassment with the delayed resignation of their former Prime Minister. His sneaky and yet naive attempt to avoid the mob of Italian citizens is shameful and down right embarrassing. Although the Italians have had a horrible history with their government and leaders, I think that this is somewhat a step in a positive direction. Citizens cannot take what a leader says seriously when they act so childless. As we have seen in many political scandals throughout U.S. history, I think that Berlusconi's decision to resign his position is best for Italy, and honestly for himself. If he wants to have any piece of respect from the Italian citizens, his resignation is definitley a step in the right direction. It is still appalling to me that leaders in the public eye can make decisions that will clearly show up in papers, tv shows, and every other sort of news outlet available.. is rather absurd. Political leaders, and a Prime Minister no less, is one of great public interest.. their lives are ultimately under a microscope. All in all I think that Italy is doing the best they can in the midst of such embarrassment to rectify their weakened government
ReplyDelete