Tagged with "Italy"

No resolution yet to Italy's political impasse

Italy continues to fumble its way to a new government, though much is still up in the air. Still, the EU could always muscle in and make things worse. Don't bet against it
by Tim Hedges - 24 April 2018
Italian Politics: Of Putin, porn, and, of course, Berlusconi

Since Mussolini the Italians have been terrified of anyone acquiring absolute power, so they devise it that no one has any power at all. Forming a government is throwing up all sorts of problems from Putin, through Berlusconi, oh, and that porn star who offered to sleep with Saddam Hussein to stop the Gulf War. Welcome to Italian politics
by Tim Hedges - 16 April 2018
Italy's far-Right repositions itself in bid to govern

Italy's pro-European old guard has been swept away. Now the far-Right La Lega party led by Matteo Salvini is repositioning itself in what is emerging as a serious bid to take power. Brussels, meanwhile, looks on in horror as any real world outcome to the horse trading is certain to yield a Eurosceptic government
by Tim Hedges - 8 March 2018
Anti-immigrant violence sets stage for Italian election

Wanton acts of violence against immigrants are still rare in Italy, but the latest attack has shocked the country. That said, resentment about immigration is starting to kick in, and it may well be exploited at the forthcoming elections
by Tim Hedges - 6 February 2018
Italy ahead of the elections

Italy is in that state where you read in the papers that everything is going better but you don’t feel it. All over Europe, and indeed the west, there has been a backlash against yesterday’s men. The forthcoming elections will only bring clarity in the sense it is clear that the chaos will continue
by Tim Hedges - 26 January 2018
Italy languishes in crisis after footballing failure

Former UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson said that more than anything else, what caused him to lose the 1970 general election was England having been knocked out out of the World Cup a few days before the vote (by the usual Germans). Italy's failure to reach the finals at all is causing a national crisis
by Tim Hedges - 21 November 2017
Politics in Italy: The Sicilian connection

In what may foreshadow Italy's Spring general election, Sicily's recent elections were fought out between Berlusconi's centre-right and the Five Star populists of Beppe Grillo. And guess what? Berlusconi is back
by Tim Hedges - 12 November 2017
Italy's thinking on immigration

Italy is actually a great place to live, and the Italians know it. From an economic point of view they'd probably benefit from Merkel-style mass immigration. But most Italians would rather keep their own version of the dolce vita
by Tim Hedges - 23 October 2017
After Catalonia, Italy steps up for autonomy votes

Different Italian regions will have looser or closer ties with Rome as they wish (or vote for). It could have been a model for the European Union, if only they weren’t so scared of democracy
by Tim Hedges - 13 October 2017
Why Italy's migrant problem has not led to terrorism

With huge numbers of undocumented migrants from hot spot Muslim countries one might have thought Italy would have a major terrorism problem. It doesn't, and that is because it just does its intelligence, policing, and community management better, and unshackled from political correctness
by Tim Hedges - 29 June 2017
Alitalia's crazy woes are a metaphor for modern Italy

Ryanair has fewer employees than Alitalia but twice as many pilots, flying three times as many planes, carrying five times as many passengers. Chaotic Alitalia is a metaphor for modern Italy
by Tim Hedges - 2 May 2017
Comic opera as Brussels comes to Rome

The EU farce in Rome was widely trumpeted. Italy has contributed more than its fair share to European culture, but no one reminded us that Michelangelo and Puccini did their bit without the help of an unelected supranational body in Belgium. Meanwhile, the euro continues to strangle the Italian economy and Britain heads out the door
by Tim Hedges - 28 March 2017
The EU's diesel fiasco

Wherever you stand on climate change, the utterly cynical policy in Brussels to promote diesel caused a pollution nightmare. Now they're preparing to prosecute at least 5 governments for having polluted cities! And the European taxpayer is left with the bill for this fiasco. Thank goodness we voted for Brexit
by Tim Hedges - 17 March 2017
Italy kicks off another big year for Europe

In 2017 we reach the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, but the main concern is that Europe will remain in denial and stupor. But the economic difference between Europe's north and south continues to widen, as turbulent Italy so clearly demonstrates. Hold on to your seats
by Tim Hedges - 9 January 2017
Il Gattopardo in Italy: All change or no change?

The way in which elites across the democratic world cynically seek to rig the system to protect themselves is now being played out in Italy. After the failed referendum, the powers that be are scrambling to avoid real change. Sound familiar?
by Tim Hedges - 17 December 2016