The return of Silvio Berlusconi

Mamma mia

Italians may come to regret electing Silvio Berlusconi once again

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Readers' comments



While the Economist has not always been right on everything, reading this article reminds me why I've been a subscriber of the Economist for the last 25 years. Belrusconi's picture in this article, depicts a facial expression and demeanor, that speaks louder than the article itself. Now, the onus is Belrusconi's to prove the Economist wrong, 'casue till then, like the Economist, myself and millions of Italians still believe, that Berlusconi is not fit to lead or govern.


Serenissimo, Maurizio
if you read the Economist that should probably mean that you are actively looking for grounded and objective opinions. Honestly, things that this newspaper has been quite successful in delivering. So, what have you read in the past years? Just the advertisements? You guys don't get it. The man is simply unfit! He should not be there! Beyond the evident reasons the Economist puts forward, there is the fact that the man did nothing to grow and liberalise the italian economy in the 2001-2006 term. Again, what do you read? Where do you look for information? There are tons of data that show his government did ZERO to reform and modernize the country. He spent the time to solve his personal issues. Again, what do you rely upon to make your opinions? Saying that the alternatives are worse is not an argument, as the man should not be there. I am one of those italians who left the country in the recent years, disgusted by him and by those who keep on believing to his burlesque promises. You will never find a mention of these italians in your "free" press.


I don't believe that The Economist or any one else is implying that Italians who voted for Berlusconi are stupid. Unwise, scared, and cowards perhaps, would be more appropriate nouns. I put the name of Barak Obama , yes I know.., on the voting ballots after crossing all the other names, because none of the politicians on the list in the voting papers, are competent to introduce the reforms necessary to make the "Made in Italy" products competitive overseas, and improve the living standards that Italy so much deserves. Labor, pension, fiscal, bureaucratic, political, REFORMS are needed to bring Italy in line with the G7 countries.I'm skeptical that Berlusconi III will succeed, he lacks the balls to bring forward these badly needed reform. During Berlusconi II regime, he had a tremendous oppotunity with his larger Parliamentary majority to chance everything, and lost it. Instead Berlusconi II and his cronies were enriching themselves further, while the average Italian family's living standard declined. So,Italy became the laughing stock of every conversation amongst the dinner tables of Europe. Berlusconi's propensity to say cazzate ,gaffe, solidified the prevalent notion that Italy is not a serious European partner.The economic challenges facing Berlusconi III are more dire than when he started Berlusconi II, a lot stake is here. Failure to address these economic challenges, Italy could loose it place in the G7 club, also it could risk its ejection ( this would please Bossi) from the Euro zone, and cement Italy into a second tier status within the EU. As we ALL love Italy, lets us wish Berlusconi III good luck, as for my self, I'll keep praying, and my fingers crossed.


Dear Oldwisdom,Do you have a name to suggest in place of Berlusconi that would be good for Italy?We'd appreciate to know your ideas...


A wise man by the name of Indro Montanelli, definitely not left oriented, once said that the Italians needed to be vaccinated against Berlusconi, therefore needed to try him once before deciding to cross him out. Sadly, Montanelli underestimated the ability of Berlusconi to dupe the crowds with his ill sense of humour a subtle use of communication. Also, he overestimated the ability of the Italians to understand when they are being screwed by a clown full of hot air. Did he not marginally lower taxes at the expense of logal governments, did he not increase deficits and national debts... etc... etc? What a saviour!
To those that voted him, on the basis of having no viable alternative, here is a thought on just one case that reveals the mentality of your man: are you prepared to put more public money into Alitalia, a company that failed despite huge public subsidies and is by all means out of the market? Just consider Berlusconi's attitude on this case and ask yourself if this is the champion of liberalism that you want in your wallet for the next five years. I am afraid he is already in people's underpants, so perhaps shifting to their wallet is an improvement. Your choice...


Even if I did not vote for Berlusconi, I agree with Maurizio!

Italians are not stupid.

Simply, they have fear and don't risk enough: it's a pity, but it's perfectly rational.

Supply-side reforms are necessary but menace all insiders: professionals, for-life full-time workers, olygopolist entrepreneurs like Berlusconi himself!
So many people prefer stay relatively poor but secure!!

And stop, please, stop, stop stop to offend dozens of millions of people simply for having a different opinion from yours!

You don't seem living in a democratic world!!!!


Maurizio, I'm one of the millions Italian mafiosi that voted for Berlusconi as well...What stupid people we must be!


Dear SirsI am one of those millions of people that voted for Silvio Berlusconi, blinded by his TV network and by his grip on Italy's media. Given that I am completely stupid and, together with some other millions of Italian mafiosi, I have no clear knowledge of my interests, I will gone on reading your kind magazine and the interesting reader%u2019s comments that bring so vast inspiration to my narrow mind.


I'm not sure if the comments received so far come from real Italian people, or just people that know about Italy only from the Economist.You guys don't like Berlusconi and I might agree with that, but what real alternative did we have?Veltroni? Wasn't he a sponsor of the Prodi government?I think the real problem of Italy is that we have more than half of the Country that contributes almost nothing to development of Italy since the end of the second World war.Not even the great statist of the World would have a chance to get something done in Italy....


for stillme - in the last 50 years (13 competitions) 7 went to South America and 6 to Western Europe. Argentina and Italy both won twice. :-|Is football an opium of the masses, an escape from the chill winds of competition?Has South America had the same corruption issues in professional football as Italy?For Italy - here's hoping (yet again)


"He will lead Rome to the ruins and the Romans will love him for this" (Gladiator by Oliver Scott, 2000)


Quote:"This year Italy's GDP per head has fallen below the EU average for the first time. Next year, it will fall below Greece, after being overtaken by Spain in 2006."Italy won the World Cup in 2006, why should they worry? :-)


Rather that make reforms, Berlusconi will ruin the Italian financial situation by lowering taxes without amministration expenditures decrease and structural expenditures reforms. The italian public debt will blow again...How it is possible that the Italian left wing parties have always such a work to do in equilibrateing public finance after every Berluskoni's legislature end? It is easy to lower taxes without financial cover,it is not responsable and socially descructive.


I am so glad that you have stuck to your gun and you have hit the nail on the head in your analysis of Silvio Berlusconi's fantastic electoral success.Mr Berlusconi keeps on repeating that he is a liberal but he did not carry out any major liberalisations during his previous full term government when he also had a large majority in both houses of parliament.Moreover, his Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti and the Lega Nord partners are mostly anti-globalisation, anti-free trade and Euro sceptics.So let us hope for a miracle for the good of Italy and its citizens! Berlusconi's slogan "I love Italy, I fly Alitalia" will be a good test of his conviction in free trade and market economy.


Italians who supported Berlusconi were clearly upset by foreign news papers like the Economist's interference into Italians domestic politics. Accusing this news paper and others of communism, arrogance, and lack of understanding of Italians politics and Italians. Ironically these sane Italians fail to understand that Italy is part of Europe and has to adhere to treaties and obligations for the privilege to belong to the EU.Berlusconi personifies the puerile nationalism and "Italy for Italians" only immaturity that most insecure Italians exude, without realizing that Italy without Europe will join the banana republics club.


Ok, now that this clown is back in power, everyone should give him a chance to do something meaningful. The first thing would be to let Alitalia collapse and allowed another European carrier set up hubs at Milan-Malpensa or Rome-Fiumicino. Italy really needs a Margaret Thatcher (someone con le palle quadrate) to take on the vested interest and uproot all what ails Italy. Otherwise, it will all be a huge waste of time, money, and effort.

Kenosha Kid

I really cannot believe this jackass is back. I feel like the rest of the world felt when W was re-elected in 2004-as in I want to ask an actual Berlusconi voter what the hell they're thinking.



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