Italy 2013: The official thread

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Jaichind, even Berlusconi's activities pre-1994 were marred with corruption and malpractices of all sorts. In fact, it's almost certain the reason why he jumped into politics was in order to escape from the inquiries that were drawing closer and closer.

Exactly. Tanaka and Berlusconi are/were about equally sleazy and horrible as businessmen and politicians, and Tanaka was far less sleazy and horrible as a human being outside those contexts.

[tpfkaw]

Broadcasting satellite television channels!  What a crime against humanity!  Clearly, everyone who does such evil, evil acts should get the Iron Maiden.

[Viewfromthenorth]

Broadcasting satellite television channels!  What a crime against humanity!  Clearly, everyone who does such evil, evil acts should get the Iron Maiden.

Back in the day it was quite common for public stations to be the only ones allowed on television in Europe. The law in Italy was that local commercial TV stations were allowed, but they were not allowed to "network", which is precisely what Berlusconi did. For the next decade his stations existed in a legal limbo, for example not being allowed to broadcast live programs until 1993.

Ridiculous with hindsight, but the motivation was to make sure television was an educational medium and not all-commercial. The result of Italy's adventures in commercial broadcasting law is that Berlusconi now owns almost all of the big commercial stations in Italy, and while he was PM he of course had control of the public stations as well. That was interesting to say the least.

[Zanas]

Just ignore wormyguy. You'll get used to it.

[Antonio the Sixth]

In other news, Italy officially has its own Dennis Rodman.

[RogueBeaver]

Could Marina take the PDL helm from her father?

[RogueBeaver]

PD primaries on November 24, convention in October.

[Senator Cris]

This is Milan



In september the People of Freedom (Pdl) will return Forza Italia (FI)

[Keystone Phil]

I saw that on Facebook the other day. It was only a matter of time.

[Senator Cris]

Planes are flying over the italian beaches with the written "Forza Italy Forza Silvio"

[Antonio the Sixth]

This is Milan



In september the People of Freedom (Pdl) will return Forza Italia (FI)

[jaichind]

Berlusconi bloc still has 4 point lead.



Berlusconi’s Lead Narrows as Five Star Gains in Italy Poll
By Lorenzo Totaro
Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Lead of former PM Berlusconi’s bloc over Democratic Party and its allies narrows to 4 pps vs 5.5 pps on Aug. 2, Trieste, Italy-based SWG pollster says in survey distributed by e-mail.
Support for parties led by Berlusconi during Feb. election fell to 36.2% vs 37.8% on Aug. 2: SWG
Support for PD and its allies during Feb. election at 32.2% vs 32.3% on Aug. 2: SWG
Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement at 20.1% vs 18.2% on Aug. 2: SWG
Former PM Monti’s centrist party and allies at 5.7% vs 5.6% on Aug. 2: SWG
NOTE: Poll conducted Aug. 27-28 on 1,500 intws for RAI3 television program Agora

[Keystone Phil]

Ugh, they are gaining again?

[Antonio the Sixth]

The Senate Committee on elections will meet one week from now to deliberate Berlusconi's expulsion from the Senate.

[Rocky Rockefeller]

The Senate is meeting to debate Berlusconi's expulsion.

http://www.gazzettadelsud.it/news/english/60927/Senate-panel-meets-over-stripping-Berlusconi-of-seat.html

Well, looks like we can be expecting new elections within the next few weeks.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The Committee vote on his expulsion should take place tomorrow. The Senate vote, probably in mid or late October.

[Keystone Phil]

So...what happened?

[minionofmidas]

Vote postponed to tuesday.

[jaichind]

Latest poll from TG3 shows Berlusconi’s Bloc and PD-Led Coalition Both at 33%

Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Support for parties led by former PM Berlusconi during Feb. election equals backing for Democratic Party-led coalition in general vote, IPR poll for TG3 shows.

Beppe Grillo’s Five Star movement at 21%
Former PM Monti’s bloc at 6.2%: poll

PM Letta’s govt should remain in power, 54% say;
25% want early elections;
15% new govt without elections

Senate should vote in favor of Berlusconi’s expulsion from Parliament, 63% say; 30% against

 

[Rocky Rockefeller]

Senate should vote in favor of Berlusconi’s expulsion from Parliament, 63% say; 30% against

Thank God, I was beginning to think everybody in Italy was insane!

[Keystone Phil]

Senate should vote in favor of Berlusconi’s expulsion from Parliament, 63% say; 30% against

Thank God, I was beginning to think everybody in Italy was insane!

They say stuff like this then vote for his coalition. It's nothing new.

By the way, Forza Italia has officially returned.

[RogueBeaver]

Berlusconi released a video message today strongly implying that he knows he'll be expelled from the Senate, but pledges to remain at the centre of Italian politics.

[Hash]

Senate should vote in favor of Berlusconi’s expulsion from Parliament, 63% say; 30% against

Thank God, I was beginning to think everybody in Italy was insane!

They say stuff like this then vote for his coalition. It's nothing new.

By the way, Forza Italia has officially returned.

Or maybe not: the 30% seems to be only a tad below the Berlusconian right's current standing in public opinion, and it's quite reasonable to assume that those voting for other parties (aka the vast majority of people, put together) want him expelled.

There were a crapload of those 'Ancora in campo per l'Italia' posters everywhere in Rome (and a lot of weird neo-fascist propaganda), and a few in Verona, but absolutely nothing of the type in Florence

[Andrea]

IPSOS poll for Ballarò

PD 29.3 SEL 5% Others CL 0.3%
Monti 3.9% UDC (Christian Democrats) 2.8%
PDL 27.3% Lega 3.6% Brothers of Italy 2.5% Others CR 1%
Grillo 20.3%
Communists 1.1% Di Pietro 0.9%

[Senator Cris]

Basilicata Centre Left primary results (for Governor).

Marcello Pittella (Democratic Party) 26.012 votes and 45,6%
Piero Lacorazza (Democratic Party) 25.637 votes and 44,9%
Nicola Benedetto (Democratic Center) 5.211 votes and 9,1%
Michele Somma (Lucan Community) 182 votes and 0,3%

Pittella + 375 votes and 0,7%