Berlusconi and the Season of Love and Tolerance

It isn't exactly Woodstock all over again, but everyone, from the Prime Minister to nursing mothers to the gay community, is demanding that Italy re-consider its values. It's...

Garbage, Gypsies, "Gamorra", Girls and Gays: Waiting for Mr. Berlusconi

Not since the 1970’s and the Years of Lead has Italian society been confronted with such an onslaught of problems, all at the same time, and all on ghastly display here in...

Berlusconi and His Crew

Prime Minister Berlusconi inaugurates his fourth term and announces his ministerial posts. The choices for his circle of 21 ministers reveal some predictable tactical...

Rome Turns Right

Berlusconi chalks up his second victory this month. “We’ll be licking these wounds for as long as we have tongues, and maybe longer,” was the mournful comment of Alessandro...

Italy: No Time for Inaction

Opinions on the Italian elections

Political elections in Italy: some confirmations…but many surprising results

The End of Ideology?

“Hanno detto di lui peste e corna, ma poi l’hanno votato tutti.” (They said all they could about him, down to calling him "cornuto", but then they all voted for him.)

Berlusconi at the Helm

Ironically for a system of proportional representation, the election appeared to have eliminated from the scene most of the small parties. Apparently only six parties will take up...

Italy's Elections: Viagra for the Doldrums?

Italy faces a serious migraine headache. Experts are already predicting a frustrated and frustrating new legislature with a brief shelf life.

Here They Go Again: Debating, Italian Style (Monologuing!)

The bottom line is that a simple debate between candidates for public office is something that Italian voters cannot take for granted...

Newsweek & "Veltrusconi"

The international edition of Newsweek dedicates the cover of its April 7 issue to the Italian elections. There is a rather frightening photomontage representing a character called...

Rome: Champagne Corks and Chunks of Mortadella Mark Government’s Collapse

Is Italy heading towards new elections and maybe, with the possible victory of Mr. Berlusconi, yet another round of government by telemarketing?