Italy: The ungovernable nation
Italians today finish a second and final day of general election voting. ISN Security Watch assesses the record of the two main candidates for prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi and Walter Veltroni, and the likelihood their coalitions will join.
“Silvio Berlusconi is known to be reluctant to carry on in a situation similar to that of Romano Prodi two years ago, when the ex-president of the European commission had a majority of only two in the senate and had to rely on the support of the life-senators. Yet Berlusconi is essentially a man of power and he will want to leave his mark in any post-election deal. Walter Veltroni will surely see the opportunity of a grand coalition as a test of his statesmanship and the chance to drive through reforms. Veltroni’s objective now must be to isolate Berlusconi and break from his stifling influence; such a strategy presents Italy’s only road to recovery and stability.”
