Czerulf: Italy – Bersani’s real failure

The former Secretary of the Democratic Party (PD) Bersani received a lot of criticism lately, most of it hard-earned and well deserved. Yes, he messed up the presidential elections, yes, he courted an obviously uninterested bride (M5S) in a bid to form a minority government wasting 50 odd days in the process. Yes, he damaged his standing (and that of his party) needlessly by this appalling exercise (transmitted via live-streaming). All forgiven! This can happen when you have a bad spell.

Czerulf: Italy – Napolitano pushed into extra time

Giorgio Napolitano needs to go into extra time

Italy has witnessed a dramatic week. The Italian parliament was called in to elect a new President of the Republic. In normal times this could have been a straight forward affair, since the post is of mainly representative nature. But these are not normal times. With the economy in free fall, the unemployment rate on a level not seen in two decades and the trust in the political class on an all-time low, the President is now regarded as the only institution able to hold the Italian Republic together, not a minor assignment by any means. The task has fallen again onto Giorgio Napolitano‘s (age 87) shoulders.