If the return of the Right to power is not the result of an ideological switch by the Italian electorate, then isn’t the Italian Right’s new-found hold on power ephemeral in the extreme? And what will the Italian Right be able to do about the domestic political pressures to return to a devalued lira, as Germany’s economic resurgence, at long last, leaves the Italian economy limping behind? Thatcher had the answer in England (productivity measures for the trade unions), and Sarkozy is now attempting someting similar in France; but Burlusconi in Italy doesn’t inspire confidence that the Right will reform the fundamental political and economic thinking which hamstrings the Italian economy’s performance. Congratulations on winning; hope this isn’t simply another spin of the Italian electoral turnstyle.
ML:
Who knows? Berlusconi has been prime minister for five years in the past, and has not fundamentally changed anything. Can he do it this time? We will see. Certainly this is the first time he has had such a solid majority, and it seems to me that the country is ready for basic change. But change in a very old country like Italy is very difficult. But then again, this vote is very revolutionary. It will be fascinating to watch.
