Tag: Silvio Berlusconi
At age of 82, Silvio Berlusconi announces his return to Italian politics
He will run as a candidate for his center-right Forza Italia party, which, since its heyday in the 90s, has lost massive amounts of votes in the polls.
... With my knowledge, my experience and my ability to convince people, I can play an important role and make European citizens understand that we risk moving away from Western values."
This time, he said he's entering politics to stop the present Italian government from gaining more votes in the European Parliament - mainly in an attempt to slow down the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, a political party that he has repeatedly called "dangerous," "inexperienced" and "incompetent."
The Five Star Movement, however, shares government power with the right-wing, anti-migrant and Eurosceptic Northern League Party, which used to partner with Berlusconi in the government.
The League continues to rise and lead in the polls, outstripping Five Star with more than an estimated 30 percent of the votes. "The united #RightCenter is a winner: with its values and its ideals, it is the future of Italy, Europe and the world," Berlusconi wrote on Twitter on Friday.
In a letter to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Friday, Berlusconi expressed his desire to return to Catholic and liberal politics harking back to the Italian political scene after World War II.
Since stepping down as prime minister in 2011 and multiple court cases - including a conviction of tax fraud in 2013, which expelled him from parliament and banned him from public office - he has continued to work behind the scenes in Italian politics.
Reaction to the news that Berlusconi was running in the European elections were mixed, with some TV commentators on Thursday complimenting him on his "courage" and others dismissing it as delusional move.
However, political analysts believe that his running in EU elections could still mean a 5 percent increase of votes for his waning Forza Italia party, which could give the wily politician a political bartering tool going forward.
Uncertain Times For Italian Politics: Questions And Watch Points
Unsurprisingly, with the possibility of another election in the cards, market sentiment has shifted to risk-off in light of the political uncertainty.
Three questions for Italy going forward Against the backdrop of the latest polling data, it is really hard to predict what will happen next in the political arena.
What's in the cards for financial markets?
Currently, we think the political risks are growing, incrementally pushing our cycle score deeper into negative territory.
Combined, our building blocks have triggered a move from an underweight position to neutral for Italian government bonds, but are not yet telling us it's time to move to an overweight.
The information, analysis and opinions expressed herein are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual entity.
As with any type of portfolio structuring, attempting to reduce risk and increase return could, at certain times, unintentionally reduce returns.
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This is a publication of Russell Investments.
How Ferrante’s neighbourhood tells a story of Italy’s transformed politics
Led by 31-year-old Luigi Di Maio, the party was founded less than a decade ago, but its strong performance was not unexpected.
“In a way, de Magistris pre-empted this protest vote,” said Mauro Calise, a politics professor at the University of Naples Federico II.
In second place, with around 23%, was the centre-right alliance, with the Democratic party, led by former prime minister Matteo Renzi, in third.
“The Democratic party robbed us,” said Amato.
“Berlusconi is a convicted criminal – how could we have voted for him?
I support Di Maio because he seems honest.
Young Neapolitans also have high expectations of Di Maio.
Along with its far-right ally, Brothers of Italy, it took less than 3% of the Naples vote.
Di Maio is celebrating what he called the beginning of Italy’s Third Republic, or a “republic for citizens”.
The big question now is, are they going to be able to respond to this protest?
Today in Italian politics: Who needs an election when you have snow?
In the run-up to the Italian general election on March 4th, The Local is bringing you a daily round up of who's done what and why in the fast-moving world of Italian politics.
Silvio Berlusconi dropped that bombshell in response to speculation that his Forza Italia party could abandon its alliance with the far right to form a "grand coalition", German-style, with the centre-left Democrats.
But Berlusconi said today that grand coalitions, so beloved of Germany, are viewed in Italy with mistrust.
Somewhat incredibly, just days from the election, Forza Italia still doesn't have a candidate for prime minister.
The man Berlusconi has in mind is, as many have long suspected, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, though "I have been asked by him to put forward his name only when he gives me the go-ahead".
Italy's shadow government The Five Star Movement, on the other hand, just can't wait to announce who it would put in government.
Roberto Maroni, the current president of Lombardy, has been with the League long enough to remember when it was the Northern League – and he doesn't like what it's become.
In a column published today, Maroni blasted the party's current leader, Matteo Salvini, for losing sight of the League's original cause: greater autonomy for Italy's regions, beginning with those in north.
From acid attack victim to candidate Even among so many memorable candidates, Lucia Annibali stands out.
Until a few years ago, the 40-year-old lawyer had never considered running for office.
Today in Italian politics: Italy’s election has its own emoji
In the run-up to the Italian general election on March 4th, The Local is bringing you a daily round up of who's done what and why in the fast-moving world of Italian politics.
Days to go until Italy votes: 12 We've had the final polls before voting day and the overseas votes are already making their way to be counted in Italy.
Election emoji The Italian election now has its own emoji on Twitter: a ballot paper being dropped into a box decorated with the Italian flag.
Only the man who's been in them longer than almost anyone else campaigning, one Silvio Berlusconi!
De Luca's claim is that his rivals are seeking to discredit him and his party, the Democrats, days from the election.
Italy is using a new, never before tested electoral law this year, which is why there's a new ballot paper, and also why the outcome is anything but certain.
We've explain the new law in more depth here.
Good news, bad news, fake news 2017 was the year of fake news, according to communications regulator Agcom, whose latest survey indicates that more and more Italians rely more and more heavily on social media for information.
From the very start of the campaign, the Democratic Party accused supporters of its rivals – specifically the Five Star Movement and the League – of spreading disinformation designed to mislead voters.
IN DEPTH: Forget the election, what's Italy's political system anyway?
Berlusconi returns to politics with pro-Europe agenda
Berlusconi returns to politics with pro-Europe agenda.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made his formal return to politics Sunday by laying out a pro-Europe policy platform at a meeting of his party Forza Italia, Reuters reported.
“We predict a great victory for the center-right,” said Berlusconi.
Berlusconi, 81, resigned in 2011 after he lost his parliamentary majority as Italy was sucked into the European debt crisis.
Now, Berlusconi — who has already served nine years as prime minister in total — wants to lead his party into the election, expected by next March, on a pro-Europe agenda of more common defense, foreign, industrial and fiscal policies, as well as continued membership in the euro.
This is despite his alliance with more Euroskeptic parties, the right-wing Northern League and Brothers of Italy.
Together, the parties have 35 percent of Italian support, polls show.
Berlusconi is currently barred from public office until 2019 due to a tax fraud conviction, but he has appealed the ruling to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and a decision is expected in November.
“I expect that Europe completely restores my honor … But court or no court, I promise you that I will take part in the election campaign,” he said.