Beyond Berlusconi
For those outside Italy who assumed that the era of Silvio Berlusconi was over, the latest crisis — in which he ordered five of his party’s ministers in the coalition government to resign — must come as a rude awakening to the realities of Italian politics. But to Italians, the situation is sadly predictable, and it speaks volumes about the sorry state of the country’s political landscape.
But while Mr. Berlusconi’s death-rattle attempt to remain relevant may not surprise Italian observers, the moment is still important. The ministers’ resignation will effectively bring down the government of Enrico Letta, the prime minister who hails from the center-left Democratic Party.… Seguir leyendo »