Italy 2013: The official thread

[Andrea]

Is it definitely February 17th? One of my friends (a PD activist) said it "may be" that date so that led me to believe it's still between then and February 24th. I also didn't see anything on the newspaper websites stating a definitive date.

Your friend is right

[Keystone Phil]

Antonio, where did you see that it's definitely February 17th?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Antonio, where did you see that it's definitely February 17th?

http://tg.la7.it/

[Keystone Phil]

Antonio, where did you see that it's definitely February 17th?

http://tg.la7.it/

That just takes me to the main page. I'll take your word that you saw it but I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Antonio, where did you see that it's definitely February 17th?

http://tg.la7.it/

That just takes me to the main page. I'll take your word that you saw it but I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else.

It was in Dec 13's headlines. Maybe I misinterpreted, but the anchor seemed pretty affirmative.

[SPQR]

There is no definitive date.

[Keystone Phil]

Not directly related to the election but the world is a buzz with news that Silvio is now engaged to a 28 year old even though he only announced that he now has a girlfriend.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Not directly related to the election but the world is a buzz with news that Silvio is now engaged to a 28 year old even though he only announced that he now has a girlfriend.

28? That'd be pretty old for his tastes.

[Keystone Phil]

La Russa, Meloni and Crosetto have officially formed their new party, breaking from PdL.

[Andrea]

La Russa, Meloni and Crosetto have officially formed their new party, breaking from PdL.

but still being allied with them in the end.

PD is drawing up rules for their primary elections to choose parliamentary candidates. They hope to make them as complicated as possible with exceptions of exceptions from the rules.
The leader will choose the top of lists and he will also have a reserve of 10% of candidates he can personally choose.

MPs with more than 15 years in Parliament should not stand again unless they ask for an exception to the rule. The party national committee can grant up to 32 exceptions for long serving MPs. 10 MPs asked for it and they were successful in their aim. The 10 are

Anna Finocchiaro
Rosy Bindi
Giuseppe Lumia
Maria Pia Garavaglia
Franco Marini
Cesare Marini
Gianclaudia Bressa
Giuseppe Fioroni
Luciano Agostini
Giorgio Merlo

Big cities mayors, regional councillors and cabinet members aren't expected to run unless they are granted an exception (again).

[Keystone Phil]

I know they'll still be linked with PdL but it seems like a good outlet for center-right voters that don't want to directly support PdL/Silvio but won't vote for the other parties.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I know they'll still be linked with PdL but it seems like a good outlet for center-right voters that don't want to directly support PdL/Silvio but won't vote for the other parties.

Indeed. This is pure electoral strategy.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

What's the chance this new centre-right party will end up with more votes than the PdL?

[Antonio the Sixth]

What's the chance this new centre-right party will end up with more votes than the PdL?

When it comes to Italy, "anything can happen" is always the best answer. Wouldn't bet on this though: what's left of the PDL is probably made of hardcore berlusconists.

[Keystone Phil]

The new AN (supposedly going to be called Centrodestra Nazionale though La Russa said that's not necessarily the case) might be able to win back the center-right voters that fled to M5S...

[Antonio the Sixth]

The new AN (supposedly going to be called Centrodestra Nazionale though La Russa said that's not necessarily the case) might be able to win back the center-right voters that fled to M5S...

For the reason mentioned above, it certainly can happen. I'm willing to believe that people will see through this little scheme, though (wishful thinking, I know...).

[SPQR]

These new center-right "parties" will get nothing more than 1-2% each.
They are pathetic pantomimes,pretending to break away from PdL but still being allies.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

La Russa might have the strangest apperance of any politician I have ever seen.

[Keystone Phil]

La Russa might have the strangest apperance of any politician I have ever seen.

You should see him when he laughs. He looks and sounds devilish. I get a kick out of him.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yeah, my parents always say he looks like a devil.

[Keystone Phil]

This guy can't stay consistent for his life - http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/18/berlusconi-says-his-country-needs-him-and-will-show-that-in-forthcoming/

[Andrea]

IPSOS poll for Ballarò (last night's programme)

PD 36.3%
PDL 18%
Grillo 13.8%
SEL 5.8%
UDC 5.6%
Lega 4.6%
Italia Futura (Montezemolo) 3.2%
La Destra 2.2%
Commies 1.9%
Di Pietro 1.9%
Fini 1.8%
Pannella/Bonino/Radicals 1.2%
Fermare il declino 1.1%


IPR for TG3 (Monday)

PD 33%
Grillo 16.5%
PDL 16%
Sel 5.5%
Lega 5.5%
UDC 4.5%
Commies/Greens 2.5%
Fini 2.5%
La Destra 2.0%
Di Pietro 2%
Pannela/Bonino 2%

[Keystone Phil]

Election will be February 24th.

As for the polls, looks like PdL is slowly rebounding but that PD lead is huge.

[Keystone Phil]

Meloni and Crosetto officially leave PdL. The new center-right party is Fratelli d'Italia. How original.

[hawkeye59]

Meloni and Crosetto officially leave PdL. The new center-right party is Fratelli d'Italia. How original.

Yes, if you want to pick a party name that will be vague enough, just pick lyrics out of the national anthem!