Berlusconi will survive
I refer to Lino Spiteri's article last Sunday, which I felt was an attack on the Italian Prime Minister and the electorate.
I think Mr Spiteri has been reading too much of the Italian left-wing press - an opposition that uses the law, through the infamous Toghe Rosse, to unseat a democratically elected government with the largest majority ever enjoyed by an Italian political party.
I also think the article contains distorted information that seeks to offend rather than inform. I have the greatest respect for Mr Spiteri who is a wizard in the economic field, but I simply cannot understand what prompted his article last Sunday.
If a vote were to be taken today, Mr Berlusconi would take the opposition to the cleaners. Italians evaluate their Prime Minister and his cabinet with objectivity - they are judged by their achievements, not their private life.
Mr Berlusconi is a staunch and strong leader and it will take more than an article to unseat him. Nearly 70 per cent of the electorate have yet to be convinced they need to change loyalties, and there is no sign of that yet. On the contrary, the more he is persecuted, the more popular he becomes.
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Tonio Bone
Oct 18th 2009, 20:22
When Berlusconi first went to power through Forza Italia one of the first things he did was making sure that events connected with the 'mani pulite' scandal preceeding 1996 were put into presciption. When Berlusconi returned to power now, one of the first things he did was get his Justice Minister to propose the 'lodo alfano' which granted the prime minister, the speakers of the parliament and senate, and the president of the republic total immunity from prosecution.
Now many have a liking to Berlusconi, not least the italian voters that elected him with a clear majority, but people that know his history have questions to ask and quite rightly so. We all know how impure politics are and Berlusconi is no exception. His desire and urge to protect himself is suspicious to say the least, but being the great business intrepreneur that he is, he is also very capable of playing the part of the victim thus attracting the sympathy of his passionate compatriots. Let's put it this way: being prime minister and controlling the majority of the country's media both televised and written is a very powerful position, possibly untouchable!
franco troia
Oct 18th 2009, 17:23
I can't believe how many fans mr. berlusconi has in malta!!! As many italians they just don't konw the "real" truth: the slow decay Italy is undergoing is mostly depending of the mr. S.B: "governo della malavita" , where, for example, the "crime" is turned in "law".
Luckely a new morning paper is recently born: Il Fatto Quotidiano, so you can read all the hidden truth.
c. camilleri
Oct 18th 2009, 16:30
Godwin, Lino Spiteri as a leftists devote a lot of his writings attacking the rightists or centre right parties. He is never fed up in this role. It is about time he includes in his writing his experience and role during the labour's heinous days especially ones like the Black Monday, the death of Nardu Debono, tal-Barrani day, the death of Raymond caruana etc etc. Times' readers are eager to read something from him about those repressive days.
C Gatt
Oct 18th 2009, 16:06
Mr Miceli must have a strange taste in politicians. He must also be unaware that Berlusconi is not considered to be flavour of the month by most European and World politicians. Indeed i was surprised to see that his notoriety has even gone as far as Australia. Only yesterday I was watching a debate on democracy broadcast from the Sydney Opera House on BBC World, and the very name of Berlusconi sent titters round the auditorium.
Popularity (and in Italy that is a very fickle topic) does not necessarily a good politician make.
But then again I suppose in Mr Miceli's eyes we are all lefties now. I look forward to read his missive about the great George W Bush, Tony Bl;air and our very own Dim Mintoff. After all they were all very popular.
joseph camilleri
Oct 18th 2009, 12:58
I take it Mr Miceli, when referring to left wing press, he means, The Financial Times, Newsweek, The Economist, The New York Times and many other papers!!!!!! His writing is sole an echo of what Berlusconi has been saying, which in essence is all tosh.
B's government has driven the public deficit to over 115% of GDP after the impressive performance of Prodi and Padoa Schioppa to reduce it to around 96%, without raising taxes.
Please choose the reason of your report below: