Berlusconi Wins Italian Parliamentary Election

Like the madman in a slasher film, the once and future Premier of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, just won’t stay dead. The richest man in the country and the guy who more or less controls the Italian media, Mr. Berlusconi just won his third election in 14 years. The Kensington Review wishes him good luck and success, although based on experience, it is almost certain to end badly.

Leading a loose alliance of his own People of Freedom Party [PDL to use its Italian acronym], the anti-immigrant Northern League and the Autonomy Movement, he secured 340 seats in the lower Chamber of Deputies, which has 630 members. In the 316-seat Senate, his alliance holds 171 seats. The biggest change is the huge decline in the number of parties represented. Changes in electoral law made it harder for small factions, and as a result, there are now 6 parties rather than 26. There will be less need to herd cats. The 62nd Italian government since the Second World War might be one of its more stable regimes.

Mr. Berlusconi faces a political landscape in need of repair. Forecasts are of no economic growth in Italy at all this year. This stems from poor productivity and a strong euro. In addition, Italy has a huge structural public debt that needs attention. Mr. Berlusconi probably won’t do that as he has promised tax cuts. If done properly, though, that may be a good way to get the economy moving again. The debt is a longer-term problem.

His immediate problem is the city of Naples. It has been months since the city has had proper garbage collection. A year ago, its only landfill closed, so collectors haven’t collected – there’s nowhere for them to take the stuff. Mr. Berlusconi has vowed to spend three days a week in Naples until the crisis is resolved. It may well make or break him.

The sleeper in this situation is the Northern League, which doubled its vote. Its leader Umberto Bossi said, “The north wants federalism. It wants a different country that functions better. It wants tax federalism. It's not acceptable that our mayors have to go cap in hand to Rome...to build a road for example. The people want a different country.” A federal Italy is a radical idea, but it could well be an idea whose time has come.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Kensington Review Home