If they are anything like what has happened so far, we can expect the last two weeks before the Italian elections to be eventful, and full of surprises.
The run-up to the next national elections in Italy (to be held on 24/25 February) is marked by two trends that have already troubled the country's political life in the past years: fragmentation and political instability.
While Mario Monti's government is trying to keep Italy in the Eurozone, Italians show a new interest in political outsiders. The most popular of them, Beppe Grillo, is a 64 years old comedian and activist who wants to shake things up in the Repubblica
Even as the European crisis intensifies, clientelism and corruption continue to dampen Italy’s prospects for development.
You have a huge opportunity on your hands: responsibility and social justice can be brought back into the Italian system with sacrifice and good governance. Tackling political salaries and the duopoly of the television networks would be a good start
As Silvio Berlusconi wins another confidence vote to implement austerity measures within a faltering government, his winning slogan, – ‘don't let Government dip its hands in Italian pockets’ – has caved in. There is no plausible replacement strategy.
Beppe Grillo is by far the most original phenomenon of Italy’s immobile and inefficient politics. His personal biography is as compelling as the political ideas he propagates through his blog - the ninth most visited worldwide
