On Berlusconi’s efforts to bring down Italy’s government

IN THE RADICAL PRESS / IL MANIFESTO 

A band of parliamentarians and extortionists led by a criminal. Irresponsible in the face of the Italian people’s problems. Supremely arrogant with respect to the country’s institutions. In their political code there is no national interest, but only that of their ” boss.” Because the acceleration of a government crisis, with the resignation last night of Silvio Berlusconi’s PDL ministers, is directly proportional to the approach of the deadline to eject Berlusconi from his Senate seat. And the possibility that the ‘ringleader’ is apprehended. A convict, definitively sentenced, and on trial for an infinite number of other crimes, is worth more than sixty million people .

It was evident that once it was established that the grand coalition was no longer serving to save the offender, the PDL ministers would have snapped to attention, obeying the order of the boss of bosses to overturn the tables. A desperate move that already with the resignation of right-wing parliamentarians showed no respect for the constitutional order.

It’s hardly  worth now saying how it was simply common sense, even more so than political lucidity, that made us oppose a Sacred Alliance with those who, pursued by the justice system, would not have allowed any government action useful to the country. The Letta government was kept on a leash, loosened or tightened depending on the moods and interests of just one individual. And, as was easily predictable , when it was clear that the minimum adherence to the rule of law would not allow any safe-conduct for Berlusconi, the fragile castle built by Italy’s President collapsed.

Now we head into elections, which, as everyone knows, will be no walk in the park. Because we must first find a majority to vote for a reform of the electoral law, and a budget must be passed by the end of the year. But neither one nor the other are likely to be the result of high level agreements, due to the deterioration of political relations between the centre-left Democratic Party and the forces [Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement] that the Grand Coalition put in opposition. It is now up to Italian society, the country to make its voice heard, to ask the parliamentary forces to strike a deal to get out of this crisis, avoiding its ruinous precipitation. Social forces, trade unions, movements can now play an important political and strategic role. And perhaps, as in the most difficult and delicate moments of our history, we must begin by a strong mobilization of the streets in defence of democracy against the blackmailers voted for by only a minority of citizens. Citizens that perhaps are finally tired of being used to defend the interests of Il Cavaliere.

Translation by Revolting Europe