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 | For those who follow Italian politics this has been a very interesting week. On the one hand the EEU and the European Bank announced it would be sending inspectors to monitor Italian finances (leading to comments about Italy being in the penalty box, as it were), And on the other a crucial budget vote came up. Given the economic situation voting to block the budget would have been irresponsible, so the opposition showed up in Parliament to guarantee a quorum up but abstained, with the result that the motion passed with a minority of the people present voting for it. Since it is obvious that the Government cannot govern with a minority in Parliament (when the opposition also votes), Prime Minister Berlusconi was forced to resign.
There were celebrations in the streets last night, and consultations in the Halls of Power, where Mario Monti, former European Commissioner, is assembling an Emergency Coalition to carry out reforms.
And Mr. Berlusconi? Though many in the opposition have written him off, I'm not so sure. He has fallen in the past, but has also come roaring back, and when Italians realize what Mr. Monti will have to do to meet the demands of the EEU financial people (raise taxes and VAT, change the retirement age, and perhaps reinstate the property tax on primary places of residence, among other things) some may begin to miss Mr. B.
The only thing that might hold him back this time is that despite his dark brown hair he is already 75, and nobody is eternal. | |
Almost Wordless Wednesday: Peperoncini!
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| Polenta Recipes
Polenta translates as corn meal mush, but it's much more. It's the staple food of the north, where it still outshines pasta, and can be served in innumerable ways, as a first course, baked, with stews, or even as a bread substitute.
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