The End of An Era

(Sorry for the delay on this post.  Internet access was spotty last week.)

The middle of last week, the Italian Senate expelled prime minister Silvio Berlusconi…the leading figure in Italian politics for the past two decades.

Berlusconi was not just another politician.  He completely re-shaped the Italian political environment.  Before he first became Prime Minister, Italian politics were dominated by the center-right Christian Democrats and the center-left Social Democrats.  Today, neither party exists.

He created his own party. Forza Italia (Strong Italy).  It formed coalitions with other right-wing parties such Lega di Nord (Northern League) to oppose immigration (sound familiar?).  During his last election…when Italy was at risk of defaulting on its debt…he opposed the sale of the government-owned Al Italia Airline (which is hemorraging money)  saying it would be an affront to the nation’s pride.

Berlusconi’s rule was dominated by a series of scandals.  He got a former girlfriend…reputed to be a call-girl…elected to Parliament, then appointed her to a cabinet post.  When the scandals got too close for comfort, his cronies passed laws exempting him from prosecution.

The straw that broke the camel’s back involved a party…some called it an orgy…where Berlusconi had sex with a 14 year-old Tunisian girl.  That prompted an investigation that ultimately led to his conviction for tax fraud.

Italian law is clear.  Convicted felons are not allowed to serve in Parliament.  For anybody else, removal from office would be a mere formality.  In Berlusconi’s case, it was a months-long soap opera.

This whole affair reminded us of the downfall of Richard Nixon.  First, it took two years to complete.  It involved exhaustive investigations and publicly-televised parliamentary hearings.  Berlusconi never addressed the issue of his guilt;  instead, he mounted a counter-attack, accusing his political opponents of trying to hijack Italian democracy.  And finally, he is the only person…much less a politician…we have ever seen who has the same body language as Nixon.

The media, of course, had a field-day with the story.  Italian newspapers are very ideological.  They make no attempt to confine their political opinions to the editorial pages.  The headlines demonstrate the point.

La Repubblica, the paper that lead the assault on Berlusconi, reported:

"Berlusconi, the leader has fallen."

“The Senate Votes to Expel Berlusconi.” then quotes him as saying, “I will not withdraw to a convent.”

“Berlusconi Falls.  He will fight on.”

“Berlusconi out of Senate”  he says, “Today is bitter.  I mourn for democracy.”

News-stands usually post sandwich-boards out front with headlines from the papers they sell.

This headline screamed, “The state sells the Parliament to the Mafia.”

La Nazione is the leading conservative newspaper and has been a staunch defender of Berlusconi.

The headlines read (more or less), “Berlusconi has fallen but he remains…Women of Forza Italia dressed in mourning…his followers said, “It’s a shame for democracy.”

On page 3 the headlines read...

“Berlusconi out of Parliament…Chaos in Parliament Hall…A severe blow to the nation.”

Fortunately, one national newspaper had its priorities straight…

The people we know here in Pienza…regardless of political affiliation…simply heaved a sigh of relief that it was finally over.

But is it?  The President of Italy said he would consider a pardon…if Berlusconi asks.  Berlusconi plainly said he deserves a pardon and shouldn’t have to ask.