Presseurop |

Italy | Local election humiliation for Berlusconi

Tue, 17 May 2011 11:36:59 +0100

The first round of local elections (both municipal and regional) held on 15 and 16 May was marked by the poor performance of candidates from the ruling majority, who were outmatched by their rivals from the centre-left opposition. In Milan – Berlusconi’s home town and the theatre of his rise to power in both business and politics – the head of government’s direct participation in the elections did not prevent outgoing mayor Letizia Moratti being overtaken by seven percentage points by her rival Giuliano Pisapia. The second round of the elections will be held on 29 and 30 May. For Berlusconi, "who has demanded a referendum on himself and his government," it is "a political slap in the face," remarks Corriere della Sera. Not only does he risk losing control of the country’s economic capital, il Cavaliere also has to contend with the threat to his alliance with the Northern League, which blames the election debacle on his strategies and governmental errors. In its 16 May edition, the Milanese daily writes "[O]nce considered a demiurge by his supporters and the party faithful, the leader now risks becoming a scapegoat."

(News in brief)

Italy | Expo 2015, a Milanese fiasco

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:18:25 +0100

"Is Milan in danger of losing Expo 2015?", asks Il Post, after revelations came to light concerning a litany of problems. Mired in "delays in infrastructure projects, disputes over the assignment of specific duties, conflicts among local organisations and the infiltratation of organised crime in the bidding process for public offers", Milan may be thinking of giving up on hosting the Expo, notes the news site.

While this would be a great disgrace for Milan, things would be even worse if the expo were not ready for opening day. And now that Ankara has offered to host the event (the Turkish city of Izmir was runner-up in the host-city selection for the event), Milan can at least breathe easy knowing that they have an option, reports the economic journal Italia Oggi, explaining that Ankara has also sweetened the pot with the promise of a substantial sum for the debt-ridden Italian municipality.

(News in brief)

Security | Italy goes out on patrol (La Repubblica, Rome)

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:48:11 +0100

Citizen patrols of all kinds — from extreme-right militia squads to groups of pensioners that supervise streets outside schools — are increasingly common in Italy. Social, cultural and political rifts have prompted the emergence of a phenomenon whose dangers have yet to be evaluated by public authorities. (Article)

Economic Crisis | Forgetting Spain (Cafebabel.com, Paris)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:16:16 +0100

At 35.4%, the jobless rate for young adults in Spain is one of the highest in the EU. Three out of ten Spaniards under the age of 25 are out of work. Many of them leave the country to try their luck abroad. (Article)