The end of Berlusconi?
Nov 8, 2011 20:16:11 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2011 20:16:11 GMT
Silvio Berlusconi has at least one merit, believe it or not. In a big part of the continent which is supposed to be a European Union, people are still quite nationalistic and usually think of their own country first. But if you go to Australia or Brazil or many other places far from Europe, it just takes one remark about Berlusconi (or sometimes Sarkozy) to make you realize that sometimes you have to defend your fellow European countries, because it's not necessarily their fault. You will tell the other continents, "most Italians are wonderful people. Berlusconi is just a fluke, and he will be gone soon." (variations regarding other countries with political embarrassments from time to time)
Unfortunately, Italy has suffered the presence of Berlusconi for the better part of 20 years, simply because the other political forces were not able to cooperate properly. (Let's hope that they have learned their lesson at last!) And being one of the richest men in the country, as well as owning a huge share of the media, Berlusconi had an unfair advantage.
Good news has come at last.
Berlusconi confirms will leave after reforms passed
(Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday that he would stand down after a new budget law is approved in parliament.
"After the approval of this finance law, which has amendments for everything which Europe has asked of us and which the Eurogroup has requested, I will resign, to allow the head of state to open consultations," he told his own Canale 5 television.
The comment, which confirmed an earlier statement from President Giorgio Napolitano, came after his center-right coalition failed to secure a majority in a crucial vote in the lower house, securing only 308 votes in the 630-seat chamber.
"This parliament today is paralysed, as far as the lower house is concerned," he said.
"In the Senate, the center-right still has a good majority. However with the defection of seven members of the ruling majority today, the government does not have the majority we thought we had and so we have to take account of this situation realistically,"
He said Italy was in a "difficult position" with regard to financial markets and had to demonstrate that it was capable of serious reforms. He added that the only realistic option as far as he could see was new elections.
(Reporting By James Mackenzie)
Today is a good day for Europe.
Unfortunately, Italy has suffered the presence of Berlusconi for the better part of 20 years, simply because the other political forces were not able to cooperate properly. (Let's hope that they have learned their lesson at last!) And being one of the richest men in the country, as well as owning a huge share of the media, Berlusconi had an unfair advantage.
Good news has come at last.
Berlusconi confirms will leave after reforms passed
(Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday that he would stand down after a new budget law is approved in parliament.
"After the approval of this finance law, which has amendments for everything which Europe has asked of us and which the Eurogroup has requested, I will resign, to allow the head of state to open consultations," he told his own Canale 5 television.
The comment, which confirmed an earlier statement from President Giorgio Napolitano, came after his center-right coalition failed to secure a majority in a crucial vote in the lower house, securing only 308 votes in the 630-seat chamber.
"This parliament today is paralysed, as far as the lower house is concerned," he said.
"In the Senate, the center-right still has a good majority. However with the defection of seven members of the ruling majority today, the government does not have the majority we thought we had and so we have to take account of this situation realistically,"
He said Italy was in a "difficult position" with regard to financial markets and had to demonstrate that it was capable of serious reforms. He added that the only realistic option as far as he could see was new elections.
(Reporting By James Mackenzie)
Today is a good day for Europe.
He is under house arrest.