Tests TTIP advance ...

Well did the Prime Minister Enrico Letta in these early days of government to meet with key European leaders to try to lay the foundations for get more time for Italy to keep the financial obligations of a balanced budget. He should have done it a year ago also the Monti government, but so be it.

On the other hand, have no more time, it is clear that it becomes impossible to implement all the measures useful for the economic growth needed to meet their financial commitments and to maintain social order in our country. Europe is the real center of power at this time Letta must try to conquer to the Italian cause. In Brussels, the next European Council in June, Italy will have to obtain a time dilation to meet the commitments of the deficit reduction, otherwise it will be useless maneuvers that the Government is about to launch. This, the Chairman of the Board, has been shown to have clear in mind.

As should be clear that this government over economic reform and development to create jobs, to devote himself without delay to the institutional ones, starting with the most urgent, the revision of the electoral law. Without this reform, the public no longer justify this ruling class with the outcome of increase in the next election the turnout on the one hand and on the other grillismo.

Any further political issue, even if considered "essential" or "indispensable", this government should show more careful in facing and offer it to the public. An example of this: the release of the new Minister of Integration Cecile Kyenge on the reform of the law for the attribution of citizenship has generated just a shrug of the barricades by the two factions supporting the government Letta. If this executive wants to complete the task he is given, must try to deal with the issues around which we can, indeed we must find unity of purpose for the common good of Italy, for the divisions there will be time in the future .

On the other hand, without creating new ones to Accessed existing problems out there, from the inner to the PD and, on the other hand, those of a PDL with a charismatic leader now surrounded by the prosecution.

The next few weeks will be the most important because they will occur if the government Letta will be able to produce those initiatives that, if passed by Parliament, will begin to reverse course to our country.

Bottom Line: After the European tour last week, today Letta met with Secretary of State, Kerry, who was also traveling in Europe. After the greetings, formal and cordial between the two governments, the two leaders agreed on the need to "proceed rapidly in the free trade between the EU and the United States" that both consider it a valid "engine of growth" for the two continents .

Tests TTIP advance ...

The train to Hogwarts ...

If I think of Italy to this rainy early spring 2013, I am reminded of the principle of the film the boy wizard Harry Potter and the journey of the steam train departed from platform 9 and 3/4 carrying the cheerful aspiring wizards to Hogwarts Castle . The locomotive grinds km in the dark film, emitting the characteristic white puff of steam, following the curves of the track, direct to nowhere...

That this is Italy today: a train at high speed toward what? No one today would be able to give an answer to this question, I think.

But let's step back to December 2012.

Chancellor Angela Merkel in a year-end interview with the Financial Times has exposed this simple concept: if Europe today has only 7 percent of the world's population, produces about 25 percent of global GDP and must finance 50 percent social spending overall, then it is obvious that will work very hard to maintain its prosperity and its way of life.

Now it is clear that if this is the backdrop on which to play our future, in Europe the countries that will suffer more this situation (which is historically inevitable) will be those countries, such as Italy, which are the weakest point of view of economic resources and, above all, more politically plaster, with a ruling class that, at all levels, seems incapable of making team - Country and continues to play into the hands of their own petty interests of the bell tower.

In the end we were still, as mindset, Italy of a thousand common medieval: guilds are fans war on each other, seeking help and benefices from the Lord of the moment, so the populace, ignorant and foolish in the end it always pays the bill ...

After a thousand years of this script, maybe it is time that we understood that we Italians or remain united or history inevitably bring us back to being colonized again, not foreign states, but from central banks and sovereign wealth funds.

The work before us is immense and time inexorably rushing. But perhaps there is still time, only you can not see the horizon yet the will to change course. The last thirty days have shown a class of new MPs who seem to have not understood the seriousness of the situation we face.

One gets the impression that prevail are still the vetoes and the internal squabbles of political parties, while the country, in fact, without a guide, running fast to nowhere.

Faced with this situation, what should a foreign institutional investor must decide where to allocate retirement savings of their clients? Why should invest their savings in our country? Frankly, we find it hard to find some plausible reason to encourage them to invest in Italy. Not to mention the other side of the coin, equally dangerous for our country, which is of the same institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds, providing significant financial resources, do shopping of our best companies (which thankfully still exist) and pieces "quality" of our beautiful country. The risk actually exists and whether the economic crisis will continue with this intensity, I think we will be spectators of such situations.

How to react? The only solution is to stick together, like other European countries most mature and responsible of us do for decades, even centuries. United Italy has a hundred fifty years, but politically it still seems a carefree teenager.

What is not convinced of the Movement of Beppe Grillo

In recent weeks we have been following the tsunami streaming tour Beppe Grillo who has gone through all the squares in Italy (as we have seen in the news broadcast by national television networks and regional).

Nothing to say. The character is not from yesterday. It is not easy these days, turn to Italy and put his face on stage speaking to the people, is not easy. Grillo knows how to use the most of all the acting techniques acquainted to manage the performance and puts you content now dear to the people of his movement.

Mind you, at some points it's hard not to agree with Grillo, a matter of common sense. His criticism at 360 degrees to the current political system is very reminiscent of the one carried out forty years ago by Marco Pannella and the Radical Movement to the prevailing party politics in Italy in the 70s and 80s ... sure it's sad to see that the steps taken are close to zero.

Grillo offers an Italy more public, greener, lighter, more just, more equitable, more honest, more clean, more transparent, KM zero, plus Wi-Fi, less multinational, and to achieve this result relies on the Network as a tool that provides maximum equal participation of citizens, to be responsible policy choices and destinies of the Nation.

At the time Pannella was among the first to entrust the direct radio (remember Radical Radio?) The transmission of parliamentary debates, thus promoting awareness of the work of our representatives in Parliament, helping to create a sort of grass-roots democracy .

So Grillo thinks of a liquid form of democracy, where the acts of the Government and Parliament are assessed, judged and voted on by the Italian people of the network at the same time as the Government and Parliament are talking about and are discussing it. What kind of democracy is this?

How many people, once the charm of the tsunami media tour will continue daily to be interested in what happens in Parliament? How many people are able to judge whether an act of government is right or wrong? And we should entrust the fate of our Government and our Parliament to express an opinion on the Internet from, say a million people? I understand that the primary web made ​​to choose candidates participated M5S of less than one hundred thousand users ...

Radical Radio also has had an important role in the spread of democratic culture in Italy, in the difficult years where Terror reigned and where the republican institutions seemed in crisis, but how many people listened to every day? Everyone knew existed, but the policy in the long run tired, Italians prefer to listen to songs on the radio ...

Grillo in this election will surely be a success in terms of votes and elected representatives, but then he knows that the music will change when you have to manage this power "politics." You can not dismantle the institutions of the Republic without undermine the very existence of the nation.

It will be possible instead to Grillo, indeed desirable, to join the forces, both Right and Left, who want to really change things in Italy and without ideological barriers to try to make the leap.

The Network serves to keep people informed, not to replace the elect, who are called just to legislate and govern the country. The real problem is to elect good people, capable professionally and morally honest.

So Grillo with his deputies, the newly appointed Parliament, may soon help to do something praiseworthy: to change the electoral law.

Turnout !

Matter of a few more days and then the lists of candidates for the next Parliament will be ready. There will, as always, new names and usual characters.

The problems that the newly elected members will now have to face will surely have an economic boost growth, keep public finances in order, promote the recovery of employment.


The different recipes to address these enormous problems we know all good or bad, it goes by the proposed Vendola the recipe through Grillo Berlusconi, Bersani, Monti Casini ending with Tremonti.

Instead, what I'd like to know from the parliamentary candidates of different parties is what they think about some "issues" if we are not so hot, but indicative of the vision of life that the subjects in question. Knowing their thoughts, sincere, on these issues could help us to choose the candidate that best reflects our values ​​and our vision of life and perhaps allow us ultimately to obtain a parliament composed of people more like us, a Parliament more human.


Here are the ten questions that I would like each candidate to Parliament felt morally eager to answer:

one: what does it mean for you the word happiness?

two: when human life begins: the moment of conception or the moment of separation of the child from the mother?


three: think school in Italy needs more public subsidies or greater freedom and autonomy?

four: fewer children are born in Italy, how do you actually help young families, especially the young mothers to combine work and care of children?

five: Italy is a country where the territory is not cared enough and indeed is marred by speculation of all kinds. On the other hand are designed in recent years works great, I think of the TAV, the bridge over the Straits of Messina, which cost billions of euro and that many citizens do not seem so urgent and necessary. What do you think about?


six: in your opinion what kind of Europe we have built so far, and most importantly, there is no need to change anything in Europe today?

We come now to some questions on topics cheaper:

seven: Considers that in Italy there is a problem of redistribution of wealth? If you, as it would face?

eight: the Constitution states: Italy is a democratic republic founded on work. Specifically, it tells us a proposal feasible now to increase employment?


nine: spending review and health, tells us how to imagine our national health care system at the end of his term, in five years?

ten: slow justice and prisons overflowing with prisoners. It tells us a concrete proposal to speed up the first and actually make rehabilitative punishment of the offender?


The answers to these questions (not at all exhaustive of the topics that may still affect) would come out Italy's image and future of our "candidate".

Then it's up to us to judge and vote.

Said Charles De Gaulle: as a politician never believes in what he says, when taken literally is always very surprised.

Let us, fellow voters, this time to choose well our candidate not to be in five years, yet we to be surprised at who we elected.

Hic sunt leones ( Here are the lions )

I wonder if Mr. Monti will come up with this Latin phrase, however, before deciding to get into politics ... In fact, the political landscape that presents itself before our eyes increasingly resembles a jungle infested with dangerous animals, some of which have not yet been studied by scientists!

In this tropical climate, even though we are at January 3, Professor Monti, after much hesitation, decided to become personally engaged in the upcoming election, as a political leader and not technical. It 'a choice that, as one might imagine, is doing discuss all political forces, those who have supported his government and those who have always opposed and criticized harshly.

What the government headed by Mario Monti has made ​​in the past few months have seen and experienced all Italians. You could do better ? That's not the point. The point, in our opinion, is to remember that the economic situation was living in Italy in November 2011 and what results we arrived in January 2013. Then each of us, for the interests that are proper and defends, draw its own considerations. Certainly Professor Monti believes that his work is not empty and that the situation of Italian politics magma leaves space for his team "special" called by the Italians to finish the job started.

But what 'is the project of Professor? What idea of 'Italy Monti is proposing? There is help in the twenty-five pages of the so-called Agenda Monti entitled Changing Italy, reform Europe. An Agenda for a joint effort, the first contribution to an open debate. (http://www.agenda-monti.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/UnAgenda-per-un-impegno-comune-di-Mario-Monti.pdf)

We've read them all carefully. Conclusion? While on some issues, such as the thought that Europe should be more united and less distant from the citizens, we think that we can gather a broad consensus on economic issues already thought of the new movement is more complex and controversial. Of course, the emergency is not over yet, but care draconian adopted up to now by the Government Monti, there seems to have led to brilliant results.

Agenda Monti seems lacking one thing: there is much talk of growth, but it is not clear where and how economic growth would rise. Are set out many beautiful principles (Project Italian companies on international markets - the Digital Agenda - the full potential of the green economy - agricultural policy - Italy of beauty, art and tourism -), but then frankly we miss the operational implications of the same. Agenda continues dealing with pension reform, labor market, institutional reform and justice, all issues where the thought of the professor is well known and partly shared (but questionable extension of the retirement age which leads to a block of the assumptions made ​​for the youngest).

The focus is economic growth and on this point the Agenda Monti in our opinion does not provide answers. We are not economists, but let's start with a statement, by the facts: (data from 2010), the Italian economy is made up of 4.5 million enterprises, 95% of which employ fewer than 10 employees. If in 2013 we could find a way to stimulate, encourage half of these firms, say 2 million entrepreneurs, to take each new employee, maybe young, we will within a year, 2 million new jobs. How do such fiscal stimulus - economical to use? Provide an answer should be the task of the government, political or technical it is. With the creation of jobs would be created that could fly then little by little to stimulate positive factors for growth in all economic sectors. The downside is the recession that we have experienced in the past twelve months and that brings with it new unemployment, further decline in consumption, which causes new recession.

What judgment will give the Italians of Professor Monti? And most importantly, there was no need of this new movement? No pollster can actually make a reliable answer to these questions. Too magmatic political situation.

One thing is certain: hic sunt leones, we just hope that the prey is not sacrificed our beloved Italy.

Turning point

We may have reached a crucial point in the intricate Italian political situation.

The primary election of the center-left coalition have crowned Bersani will be the first official candidate to replace the head of the government Monti near future. With the defeat of Matteo Renzi has been lost opportunity for renewal? Maybe. There is, however, wonder why other countries generating Renzi has managed to occupy key positions in politics while in Italy has failed direct confrontation?

In the center-right Berlusconi is at a crossroads: come back by standing in the field to lead the next government, thus breaking the PDL that would see the release of many former National Alliance (but not only), or give up the political leadership (but in favor of those who ?) but hoping that the PDL wins the election (or at least get a good result) and with the centrists and the League manage to get elected President of the Republic.

All this happens while the government Monti collects acclaim abroad and whistles in the Italian squares. The situation of international finance goes on and off, today the spread goes down, but the real economy shows all the signs of the disaster we are experiencing. The news this evening is that in Italy you are lost in a year five hundred thousand jobs in construction. Do not talk about what is happening to the plants Ilva Taranto, the situation of FIAT, the crisis of Fincantieri.

Unemployment, especially among youth, salt while the Italians, the reform Fornero, have become older European workers to retire. The usage drops, even food and make ends meet is more of a problem for families who a year ago were the middle class and thought about where to go on vacation in the summer.

If this is the scenario for those who must vote for Mr. Smith the next elections? But, above all, will vote for Mr. Smith the next elections? Because the situation at the moment is depressing. When we arrived at the Government Monti is because before there were a Berlusconi government and the Prodi government. But now, after a year of government, Monti, the real situation has not changed at all, in fact in some ways it seems worse.

In this very delicate moment our politics if he wants groped at the last minute to renew a feeble dialogue with those who still believe in the value of the policy, the strategy must act in the interests of the common good of the country and not their own personal backyard (see Election Law ), otherwise it will be wiped out permanently dall'astensionismo on the one hand and the indifference of a movement of riding on the popular discontent, but he has not seen the inside candidates able to offer answers and solutions to the huge problems that Italy will face in the coming years. And in the midst of this magma could open the way for  Alba Dorata ... but I do not think that the Italians want this solution, unless the economic situation continues to deteriorate.

Meditate political, meditate ...

The alternative

The recent scandals have involved the management of public money given to councilors and regional councilors reported in vogue theme federalist system of Italy. Over the past twenty years, the regions have gradually acquired a greater say in the management of some major items of expenditure, including all the most important health concerns, with mixed success. Against regions C.D. virtuous, there have been other less virtuous or guilty disastrous. The cases of bad public health and waste are visible to all and there is no need here to remember them. And we do not care to emphasize the differential north-south, so that in the south there are public facilities that work well and deliver quality services and cost comparable to northern Italy. The real question is' other, but with a centralized management, unique, super ministries from Romans, we are confident that things would be better, there would be less waste, less downtime, better quality services at lower costs?

Personally, I have doubts.

In Germany, the federal system is applied as and perhaps more than in Italy, and the result is a very satisfactory quality of life for the citizens who see public services provided operating at a sustainable cost. Where is the difference? The difference is in the list compiled annually since 1993 by the non-governmental organization Transparency International, which analyzes and studies the levels of corruption in the world. Well, in 2011 (the last year analyzed) the level of corruption "perceived" (suffered) by German citizens puts Germany in 14th place in the standings on a par with Japan ahead of the United Kingdom, the United States and France to name other G8 Nations , as he sees Italy in 69th place tied with Ghana, Macedonia and Samoa. The first three countries "not corrupt" in the world? New Zealand, Denmark and Finland. For those interested to know more, below the link to the website of the organization: http://www.transparency.org/

The real problem is not a setting in the country that we want to give to our country, centralist or federalist, the real problem is ethical and moral. Ethics must relate to the behavior of public administrators of public affairs at any level they operate. Personal morality should ensure that a person who manages public money deems just resign from 'job before it is the law itself to impose it if it is under investigation by the judiciary for offenses relating to public office covering, even if waiting for a judgment rendered by a court in the name of the Italian people. Now here would open all the major theme of slowness of our "justice model", certainly essential, but not the time to deepen it.

In this sense, the "anti corruption" under discussion in Parliament is certainly necessary and welcome, but it alone will not be able to eradicate the problem unless it is accompanied by a change that needs to be cultural, social, personal. So I think the fundamental starting from schools, to educate young people to see the commitment in politics, in society, in the community as the best service that a person can offer their country and not, as often happens now, and as a way a quick and easy way to reach positions of privilege, power and personal enrichment. From this point of view, so mistreated hours of religion and civics certainly offer a space of time in the classroom can help children deal with proposals and positive content. It should also be teaching young people the rules of conduct of a modern and civilized nation, but also give reasons why it is right or wrong behavior or a certain lifestyle. Without a vanishing point to which to refer in their political values​​, the general picture is fuzzy and the instinct prevails (staff or your group / party) and the satisfaction of particular interest only at the expense of the public.

Indro Montanelli wrote that corruption starts with a plate of pasta. Maybe we should start thinking of a diet ..

Translation of the post of 'September 30

Alea iacta est

It is now clear we are in the election campaign. This week Channel 4 aired in prime time on the first film in the series of Don Camillo and Peppone, this unmistakable signal that the electoral duel began. The rest always in the week, the United States, the Premier Monti  releasing three interviews with three different television networks, started by saying that he would end up saying that candidate if the Italians call him, would not miss his contribution to the welfare of the country. It is not yet clear how Italians should enlist. In fact, typical language from the campaign.

But what the political landscape looks in the eyes of the Italians?

In the center-right PDL is increasingly in crisis black and still can not find the key to the problem: Berlusconi nominate or not nominate Berlusconi in the next election? Given that Berlusconi will decide what will decide the PDL. Of course the former Premier, who yesterday made ​​seventy-six, will not be like the descent into the field finally made ​​official the President of Ferrari, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who, with his Foundation Italia Futura, will try to occupy the space just disappointed with the election of PDL. Italia Futura then openly support the Monti  Bis wink wink to the centrist UDC Casini and Fini's Futuro e Libertà which aims with his new movement Mille per l'Italia. This is what is happening in the center-right Italian anti-politics scared that now pervades large sections of civil society and which makes the movement of grillini a possible election outcome. It is no coincidence that Grillo has branded the U.S. Monti choice not to exclude his new political commitment as a rigor montis. For now, the Lega Nord is no stranger to possible alliances with former allies, but not ruled out a possible rethinking of Maroni because it is clear that only in national elections, the League would not get a great result.

Moving a little to the left, the Democratic Party has first to chew and digest large bite, which is proving to sour taste, primaries, which, moreover, has designed, prepared and cooked by myself. Then, once that Italians have clear which leader and which program will have the PD, we hope that will happen soon, it will be possible to assess the possible alliances. Which basically can be summarized as: o look at the center and make a coalition "save Italy" with Casini, Fini and Montezemolo, like the one that ruled in Germany in recent years, with Prime Minister Monti or look to the left where, however, is of Peter disagrees with care Monti that instead the PD has helped to support and where it is, even more distant politically, Vendola with SEL that will not even hear of Monti & co.

While this policy is still hot magma is moving around us, a question I would like to remind all the Italians that in six months will have to decide to which political group to entrust the future of Italy, but with the electoral law which will go to vote?

Because it is clear that if the rules of the game do not change, Parliament will be on hand to another five years to persons chosen and appointed not by us, but by the political parties and then I find it hard to believe that a Parliament thus elected can successfully deal with a constituent phase and true renewal of Italian society. The time required to change the electoral law still exist, but the days are ending and the impression is that at the end of this law face the most comfortable, the PDL who proposed and voted in his time with the Lega and also to PD who had rejected but now perhaps being re-evaluated.

Without a new electoral law, I fear that all parties are making efforts to propose a new dress "clean" and in order for the elections are useless. It 'good that our politicians know it, this time the Italians are not willing to make concessions to anyone. If the names of the candidates will be the usual suspects, the anti-politics and win the turnout and that we should not augurarcelo for any reason.

Last little thought provoking, but not so: and if we asked you to apply Italian Premier Italy in a foreign leader?

Translation of the post of 'August 8

Harry Potter, Italy and the little things ...


Not even Harry Potter would make available to predict the near future the government Monti, too great a risk of making fools of themselves. This leaves only rely on the politicians who do not fear looking foolish ... And if we rely on the statements of politicians in recent days the idea that it takes more and more ground is that of an early election in the fall.

If so, farewell to the reform of the electoral law, there would be no more time. This is a hypothesis that, deep down, like many parties, both those who support the government Monti, and those who are in opposition. Moreover, the current electoral law (the no. 270 of 21 December 2005) was voted by Forza Italia,  Alleanza Nazionale  (together now in PDL), UDC, Lega Nord , Fiamma Tricolore e gruppi misti ecologisti e democratici;  Democrats opposed to left, Margherita, Italy of Values​​, Communist Refounding. As seen, the majority who voted the current electoral law is different from that currently support the Government of Monti and this is another factor to keep in mind to understand the difficulties that arise in dealing with the theme parties.

However, there is, however: this law does not like the President of the Republic, but most really do not enjoy the majority of Italians who have expressed impatience with the current strong political parties and politicians in recent elections. What would be the reaction of people if you go to vote in the upcoming political again with the current electoral law? Most likely it would open the road from a side Grillo and Grillini and other to the abstain from the vote election. Result: a parliament unable to address the current situation, which remains an absolute gravity, because the 2,000 billion euros of debt that Italy has accumulated over the past twenty-five years does not reduce in a year or even in five years without a strong and strong economic recovery, so far away from the horizon. We have before us, months, years, difficult years of courageous decisions, ones that we always put in these twenty-five years, so we could increase our debt, print BOTs and CCTs, Italy was fashionable, Made in Italy exported to worldwide dresses and BTP, CTZ and sandals ... well, this way of life, this story is over for good. It is important that our politicians are realizing this and quickly, we the citizens have already figured out, just look at the index of consumption and savings for a family of these months.

The case of Ilva Taranto Italy is emblematic of delays in the economic field. More than thirty years that all Tarentines, all of Puglia, all Italians know that the industrial area of ​​Taranto steel and produces tumors and no one has done anything to change things. How can a country in 2012 if the crisis is not able to balance work, health and wealth for thousands of families? It is important that the intervention of the judiciary to put in motion a mechanism that would essentially depend on administrative decisions, policies and economic? One could go on with the case Fincantieri, with the Fiat etc.. etc.. all topics unpopular, always postponed for years and never faced by various politicians / ministers (?) that now, in times of crisis are revealed in their drama because they involve hundreds of thousands of people at risk of losing their jobs. These issues seem to daughters of the crisis, but they are daughters of non-management, willful neglect of those who had to think about the future (our own) and instead think about the future of their own or their party or political movement or just did not think because he was not able to do so and occupied a place as a minister without his knowledge.

Italy did not need the moral support of the Germans, as stated in a recent interview, Premier Monti, Italy urgently needs us Italians, Catholics and laity, we start seriously in the first person to reclaim the political arena for too time delegated to the professional politicians who have proven in the management of the res publica worst of "technicians" who are now in government. What is needed is a return to civil and political people who have something to say about our future and our children, who have a vision and an ideal to propose and to share with others and how they act on the background of the Common Good the country and not of their own home, whether in Italy or Monte Carlo.

Who is faithful in little is faithful also in much: and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much the evangelist Luke in his Gospel. We must begin with ourselves, with the little things that are close to us and we can change, by engaging in first person. Only in this way, changing ourselves, change our beautiful country and they all emerge from the crisis.

Translation of the post July, 26

The spread, the Governor and the Five Rings

How is spending this summer 2012 for the Italians?

The spread until yesterday (July 25) had climbed up to the values ​​in November 2011 and 9 months of the Government Monti seemed spent in vain with our sacrifices. Then, unexpectedly, came a statement today, the Governor of the ECB, Mario Draghi, who spoke of strong defense for the single currency and the spread dropped abruptly by 25 points. Yet the fundamentals of the European economy, indeed the world, have not changed in this sultry July 26 and the barometer marks even recession. Moreover, the negative signals that arrive almost daily and now affects all sectors of the economy can not be reversed with a magic wand or a statement of a central banker. And tomorrow, it will spread? The other Mario, Monti, currently President of the Council of the Italian government, is still several weeks to warn the Community bodies by speculations that could rage on our country taking advantage of weak defense offered by the shield spreads, effectively blocked from German Parliament itself at the mercy of the thoughts of Angela Merkel. Where does this fear of our Premier? In August, usually under the umbrella, we read the half of large enterprises and large international banks. Perhaps our Monti is aware of some new financial problem (read budget hole) on some important international financial group that will start a new wave of speculation from the potentially devastating? We'll see.

We'll also see the development of the story about the Governor of Lombardy, Formigoni. Here, one needs to do some 'clarity. Formigoni governs the Lombardy region since 1995. In these 17 years, Lombardy  has established itself as one of the main producing areas of economic wealth is not of Italy but of Europe. We then faced one of the most advanced regions of Italy with regard to public transport, health, energy conservation, support for enterprises that innovate, develop cultural tourism and business, and much more. This is definitely on the come guided by the Governor in office. And then? The scandal that is sweeping the Governor today is the result of a political struggle that uses the judiciary to get where the popular vote is not successful, that is to dismiss Formigoni? Apparently not.

A person who for many years (when 17) he held political / administrative importance is inevitably tempted by the network of knowledge and pseudo friendships that revolve around who always holds positions of power. As time passes, the greater the risk, even in good faith, without thinking of doing anything wrong, of losing sight of its institutional role should have as a reference only to the common good and give some flattery. Then it is clear that the benefit received, the small gratuity is used by the donor as a bargaining chip to get itself some "small" for a fact that may constitute unlawful / administrative offense. This clearly is a discourse in general. In the case of Formigoni, views photos holiday in the Caribbean, has everything to prove that our Governor has granted favors in return for this or quell'imprenditore. The only lesson to be learned from this incident, but as other similar stories happened in the past, is to place a maximum time limit of two consecutive terms for elected offices and most important related to the management of an effective political / administrative such as for example the election of Congressman / Senator, Governor of the region, regional Councillor, Mayor and City Councilor. In this way it allows people to hold still more deserving for two terms important public works and while they defend themselves from possible temptations to favor pseudo friends. Moreover, this could also be a way to reduce corruption has always been strongly present in our government.

Tomorrow, meanwhile, will begin the XXX Olympic Games in London. Congratulations to our athletes and the London Olympic subjected to stress! We hope that the dreaded month of August to grow both our medals and not the spread.

Translation of the post July, 15

And if after Napolitano arrived Monti?

He quoted Giovanni Pascoli,  Pier Ferdinando Casini, down again for the comment field of the Knight (Berlusconi) : "There's something new today in the sun, or rather of old ..." The exponents of the center-left but have used less poetic terms.

Personally, we never believed for a retreat from the policy of the Knight, at least not yet, not now. There are many reasons, but mostly they are the same that brought him down twenty years ago for the first time in politics.

On November 1, 2011 (ie before the resignation of the Berlusconi government) the price of the stock on the Milan stock Mediaset was 2.5144 euros per share. Friday, July 13, 2012, the last official day of the Milan Stock Exchange earlier today, the price of a Mediaset was 1.2591 euros per share. The decline of 49.92% What's more, the institutional website of Mediaset, you can download the pdf of the presentation of data from the first 4 months of 2012, advertising revenues over the first 4 months of 2011 fell 693 to 622 million euros (minus 10%). Objection: in the same period, all stocks have declined in value addition with the crises all companies invest less in advertising. Okay, but the index of the Milan Stock Exchange November 1, 2011 this share was 14,928 and closed Friday, July 13, 2012 at an altitude of 13,714, a decrease of 8, and 13% over the same period of time has been a SKY + 25% of advertising expenditure and the collection on the Internet has also increased. Omitting also comment on all the indices, what you notice is that the net profit for the first 4 months of 2011 the Mediaset group was of 51.4 million euros while net income for the first 4 months of 2012 was 1.5 million (a decrease of 97%). Herein lies the real crux of the problem of conflict of interest. With Berlusconi out of the political scene, fell in 9 months advertising investments and the group Mediaset, which thrives on publicity, has become an industry group like the others.

The second major motivation that pushes Knight to take to the field is, in our opinion, personnel driven by ambition. Next year is the last chance for Berlusconi, because of age, to try to get elected President of the Republic. To have any chance to achieve it (objectively titanic to say the least) should have a parliament, however favor. Perhaps it will win elections, but it certainly will not have a majority in parliament strongly opposed. From here descend to the PDL all the reasoning in progress on the reform of the electoral law and the decision by Berlusconi to handle the matter personally. The Secretary appointed Alfano has proved weak in fact hold together the different souls of the PDL that still recognize the leadership of Berlusconi real movement. Berlusconi no longer on the field on PDL is intended to divide. And face the next general election divided within itself means to meet a certain defeat, because recovering the relationship with the League of Maroni will not be easy. Losing the election would be bad for Berlusconi as saying goodbye to the dream of becoming President of the Republic.

That said, what can we expect the Italians for the next month? The scenarios that can be opened are the most diverse possible and depend on political and economic variables that today no one can realistically expect. Also because in the face of a PDL that you are compacting around the old leader, there is a united center-left on the Two Chief World Systems, but divided on things to do. Perhaps the descent into the field of Berlusconi could be a help in this way also for the other side is, we'll see.


One thing is certain, the government Monti were gaining in the international guarantee of survival until 2013 that the Italian political parties who support it do not seem to want to give completely. And if it was own Monti, once no longer prime minister, the candidate of the center-left to replace Napolitano at the Quirinal?

Translation of the post July, 1

The homework ...

In a strange twist of fate, while the European Football Italy and Spain conquered the football field the right to play in the finals (with Italy, who defeated 2 to 1 just as Germany), to another field, the Prime Minister Spanish and Italian, together, they won the match against the German chancellor and against its policy of austerity without ifs and buts.

A little 'all the newspapers, the media and politicians had introduced the Italian summit in Brussels on 28 and 29 June as the last chance to mark a change of pace and send specific signals to financial markets on Europe's willingness to respond and make its voice heard in unison. The problem was that the starting positions on things to do were very divergent. At the end of the line has prevailed that Spain and Italy, with the help of  french Hollande, proposed to overcome the crisis, the mechanisms "save spread" and the pact on the growth of the first fiscal discipline and spending cuts.

My congratulations to our Premier Mario Monti who is more loved and respected abroad, while in Italy the romance with the people seems to have stopped. I wrote the people, but I think the word political parties, especially those who support the government Monti. It 'clear that, at this point, the Italian political situation is at a crossroads: either it keeps alive the government Monti until the next spring, letting, especially in Europe where it is estimated, to conclude the work started to try to get a policy closer to European countries subject to market speculation or political forces in parliament voted against one of the next steps which will be placed on the trust and then mountains will draw the inevitable conclusion, resigned. But what political force will take the risk to reject the government Monti?

Certainly, the measures taken so far, by the pension reform that Labour have not satisfied the voters of the parties supporting the government, but was told that measures were asking us to Europe and Italy was to carry out its tasks home to not end up like Greece to the brink of bankruptcy. But now the homework have been (partly) executed and Europe became aware of this and has rewarded us in Brussels last weekend. And then, begin to ask the politicians, it still makes sense to support the government Monti for nine months?

The truth is that our homework is not yet finished and those carried out so far we seem to all be correct, it would take a teacher that concern them, and would mark in red the parts to be revised. But where we find a master capable and honest man who is able to manage an unruly class of politicians and rogues, each intent on defending their turf and not at all interested in the common good of the Italians?

Should we call Mr. Prandelli?