Posted on 04/05/2005 10:08:33 AM PDT by an italian
ROME - Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservative coalition was reeling Tuesday from a heavy defeat in regional elections held across Italy in a ballot seen as a key test of the government's strength ahead of a national vote due for next year.
With final results in for all but two of the 13 regions where elections were held, the center-right won just twice, with the center-left gaining the governorships in nine regions. In the two other regions, the center-left candidates were ahead with almost all votes counted.
Going into the election, the conservatives had eight regions of the 13 up for grabs, compared to five held by the center-left.
"It's unequivocal that the center-left has won. For (the coalition) and our voters this was not a happy day," Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said Monday night on state TV.
Fini said the election results had weakened the governing coalition's political power but said it didn't mean it should resign.
"We have largely won," said opposition leader Romano Prodi, who is expected to be Berlusconi's opponent in the election next year. "With this vote, Italians are asking us to get ready to govern."
The vote was held as overwhelmingly Catholic Italy mourned the loss of the beloved Pope John Paul II. Hundreds of thousands packed St. Peter's Square to pay their respects rather than line up at the polls.
However, fears that voters would desert the polls did not pan out. Turnout was about 71.4 percent, compared with 73.1 percent in the previous regional vote in 2000, the Interior Ministry said.
As the pope's health started deteriorating last week, politicians toned down what had been until then a bitter campaign and canceled all political rallies. On Sunday, leaders from both sides, including Berlusconi, joined prelates in prayer in front of the pope's body at the Vatican.
We need your help because I don't want my Country will be the next France. If in 2006 the left-coalition wins, it will mean no more friendship with America. That's horrible. I'm really afraid.
My daughter is studying in Italy this semester. She loves it! I'm going to have to drag her home! She tells me that about a month ago, an elderly man walked up to her and got right in her face and said OOOUU (meaning like yuck) Bush. OOUU! Then she went to a carnivale and was really surprized at all the anti-Bush floats.
How can we help?
Because people are unwilling to pay the price.
As an Italian-American, I am quite proud that Italy has been such a strong friend of the United States for so long, especially in these difficult times. I hope that this is just a "wake-up call" for the Italian right. There's still time to turn this around, but it will take lots of hard work by you and others in Italy. Do not despair, but be prepared to work hard to achieve your goal. It will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.
There are two Italys, Northern Italy is industrial, productive, with a german-austrian background.
Southern Italy is the seat of government, and was colonized by the Byzantines and Spanish for 900 years. Southern italy is full of the relics of Roman Imperial rule, and it's people live on the dole and from tourism. The southern italians convince themselves (while they are largely descended from ostrogoth invaders) that they are great, and imperial largess is the way to success. Southern Italy is addicted to the government.
There are two Italys, Northern Italy is industrial, productive, with a german-austrian background.
Southern Italy is the seat of government, and was colonized by the Byzantines and Spanish for 900 years. Southern italy is full of the relics of Roman Imperial rule, and it's people live on the dole and from tourism. The southern italians convince themselves (while they are largely descended from ostrogoth invaders) that they are great, and imperial largess is the way to success. Southern Italy is addicted to the government.
siamo alle solite!
This is indeed quite sad. One challenge you face is that with an income tax rate that is still quite high, it is difficult to convince average people in Italy to vote to the Right. There are still many people there who depend too much on the state, and they continue to vote to the Left. I think that a painful process would be necessary. Those who depend on the state need to be pushed to work, if they are able. But how will this be done, if the first step, voting for lower taxes, is so difficult? I am afraid I have no good answer for this question. The only way is, to take many years, and to educate the young regarding economics and financial management. Then, maybe, in 20 years, change can come. Good luck! Buon Giorno!
yeah there are two Italys, but that's not the point...in the north the right won just two regions, Lombardia and Piemonte, and not with a lot of votes...I think the government needs really to wake up...I completely agree with its foreign policy, but for domestical issues...well, they're (we're) in big trouble!and it's not true that southern Italy is full of the relics of Romans...southern Italy, and central Italy too have problems, but it has nothing to do with the Romans!it's about the government that is doing nothing to help our economy!we had the biggest arms and metals factory in Europe here, near my hometown...and what do we do?? we sell it to the Germans! and now you know what?they're closing it, so that all our production will be done in Germany!hundreds of people left without a job...and that's not an exception!again, I'll vote for mr.Berlusconi...but only because I don't wanna vote the left...
Like Spain, it seems Italy has now surrendered.
Thanks for that info. I did not realize the country was so divided.
No. We will never surrender. I will never surrender. I don't want to. I'm too much proud of myself to accept to be surrendered. I will continue to fight for what I believe in: Dignity, my Country and FREEDOM. Don't care who is my PM, I have to fight for Freedom.
Yes, I'm too sad about that result: but I can't allow to myself to be won. I can cry (as I'm doing) but I can't just think to stop to fight. I'm an Italian, and an Italian knows what's the meaning of standing up for his ideas.
Unluckily even in Italy we have a lot of foolish people...
That's the problem... I don't know why...
I know that we have not left yet. But the situation is really difficult.
... You said it...
What should the government be doing?
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