News

Italy: The Triumph of the Right? The Guardian (2008)

Silvio Berlusconi has swept back into the presidential palace, the far right have won Rome's mayoral election - no wonder many Italians are worried their country is slipping back into its dark past. But are comparisons between the new right and Mussolini's fascists accurate?

Italy: Berlusconi Sweeps Back to Power in Italy Election, Reuters (2008)

ROME (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi has won his third Italian election with a bigger than expected swing to the centre right, but the media magnate said it would not be easy to solve deep economic problems.

Italy Embraces Silvio, Again and Again, The Economist (2008)

SILVIO BERLUSCONI is the great Jack-in-the-box of European politics. In a general election on April 13th and 14th, Italian voters released the catch and his ever-grinning figure has sprung out once more. Given to buffoonery, surrounded for years by questions about his probity and the conflict of interests between his media empire and his political office, Mr Berlusconi has nevertheless been chosen to become prime minister for the third time.

Low Turnout Threatens Italy Referendum On Parties, Wall Street Journal (2009)

This article describes the low turnout of the Italian referendum on electoral reform taking place on 21-22 June, 2009.

Little enthusiasm in Italy for electoral law referendum, Earth Times (2009)

Low voter turnout appeared set Monday to torpedo a bid in Italy to give larger political parties more power. By Sunday evening, at the end of the first of two days of voting, turnout stood at 16 per cent.

Italy's Electoral Referendum Fails to Reach Quorum, AP (2009)

A referendum that would have changed Italy's electoral law by giving more power to large political parties has failed to reach the necessary quorum. Only approximately 21 percent of eligible voters cast votes for the two days on which voting on the referendum were held. The referendum needed 50 percent of eligible voters to turn out for the result to be valid.

Italy PM moves to deal with pre-election chaos, Reuters (2010)

In a response to setbacks which left his coalition in chaos and could affect its showing in this month's Italian regional elections, the Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is likely to hold an emergency cabinet meeting.

Italy opposition protest for second day over decree, The New York Times (2010)

After a decree was passed to reinstate government candidates for the March regional elections after mistakes were made in presenting their candidacies, Italian opposition groups protested in Rome. According to the polls, the government is still expected to perform well in the elections though.

Italian court rejects Berlusconi government ballot appeal, Reuters (2010)

The highest administrative court in Italy refused to reinstate the government coalition's candidate list for the regional elections of the Rome province, despite an emergency government decree being passed in order to ensure the inclusion of the list, which was excluded due to being submitted after the passing of the deadline for submissions.

Italians vote in regional polls, Aljazeera (2010)

Italians have gone to the polls in regional elections on 28 and 29 March; that are being seen as a referendum on Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister.

Italy's Berlusconi: Elections needed if budget vote fails, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article reports on Italian Prime Minister's statement about a possible early election. PM Silvio Berlusconi announced that if the parliament will not pass the government's austerity plan, new elections shall be called. The center-right government's support has recently declined to 41% from 50%.

Italian aims to ban ex-criminals from EU Parliament, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on an Italian activist's campaign to ban people with convictions from running for the European Parliament. Andrea D'Ambra has been campaigning for three years in Brussels to pass such a law. If Mr D'Ambra is successful, two Italian MEPs from the People of Freedom party (convicted for bribery) and even French far-right chief Jean-Marie Le Pen would be left unemployed.

Italy's govt in crisis as Berlusconi feud erupts, EuroNews (2010)

This report on the political crisis in Italy. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is considering a call for early elections, as his coalition totters.

Italy's parliament on verge of collapse, Edmonton Journal (2010)

This article reports on the political crisis in Italy. Observers believe that Silvio Berlusconi's government is in great danger, as the speaker of the House (and the People of Freedom's co-founder) refused to resign. Berlusconi will probably call for early elections

Italy minister says snap polls possible in autumn, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the possibility of early elections in Italy. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Interior Minister Roberto Maroni announced the possibility to hold early elections in the fall. A no-confident motion failed yesterday, but only because 75 MPs of Berlusconi's coalition abstained.

Italy: Early elections possible, News 24 (2010)

This article reports on the Italian Interior Minister's statement about the possibility of an early election in the coming months. There is no precedent of elections in the fall, Minister Roberto Maroni admitted, but if the government's political crisis continues they will be forced to call new elections.

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Italy: Berlusconi warns of early election, The Wall Street Journal (2010)

This article comments Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's threat to call early elections in Italy. The Italian PM warned everyone to "get ready" for possible elections. If the government loses a parliamentary vote, the President of the Republic (Mr. Napolitano) must examine whether it has lost its majority and he can then order a government shuffle or call a general election.

Berlusconi ally hints at November elections, The Gulf Times (2010)

This article discusses the possibility of early elections in Italy. Recently, Silvio Berlusconi hinted at elections in November. Should Berlusconi resign or lose a confident vote, President Napolitano could decide to form a transitional government. According to the Italian press Economy Minister Giulo Tremonti seems to be a possible consensus prime minister.

Italy: Berlusconi's ally Umberto Bossi says country should hold early elections, Bloomberg (2010)

This article discusses the Italian Minister Umberto Bossi's statement about the necessity to hold early elections. Mr Bossi is Berlusconi's key ally. According to the Italian Constitution, only President Giorgio Napolitano can decide whether to call early elections or to form a transitional government. Berlusconi's term ends in 2013.

President Napolitano says early elections may hurt growth, l'Unita reports, Bloomberg

This article reports on Italian President Giorgio Napolitano's decision to refuse to call early elections. President Napolitano called for national unity and political peace in order not to undermine economic growth.

Early Italian election draws closer, The Financial Times (2010)

This article discusses the possibility of an early election in Italy. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi agreed on a legislative agenda with former ally and speaker of the House Gianfranco Fini, but negotiations are still underway. On September 6th, Mr Berlusconi will call a confidence vote on the legislation reforming the judicial system, a highly debated topic. The law would eliminate three ongoing corruption proceedings against Mr Berlusconi.

Italy: Berlusconi ally pushes for early elections, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the political situation in Italy. Prime Minister Berlusconi's main ally, Mr Bossi, declared that elections are necessary to solve the country's political crisis. Berlusconi, on the other hand, will challenge his majority (especially Gianfranco Fini's breakaway group) to a confidence vote in September or to face new elections in December. According to Bossi, the country should go to early elections anyways.

Italy: Berlusconi tells party supporters to prepare for early general elections, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's warning to his own party. Mr Berlusconi told his party members to prepare for early elections. If elections are held, Berlusconi's term will end three years ahead of his term.

Berlusconi rival Fini "will not force election", Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the political situation in Italy. Rumors on the possibility of early elections spread during the past weeks. Gianfranco Fini, PM Berlusconi's main ally and member of the government, attacked the prime minister directly during the presentation of his new political group, Futuro e Libertà, denouncing him for "Stalinism". Mr Fini, however, stated that he will not support a motion to call for early elections.

Italy: Election loom as Berlusconi takes on Fini, Euronews (2010)

This article reports on the political situation in Italy. It is still unclear whether or not Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will resign and ask President Giorgio Napolitano to call early elections. This week, PM Berlusconi will ask President Napolitano to dismiss Gianfranco Fini, Berluscoin's former key ally and speaker of the House. This could potentially trigger an early election.

Italy: Berlusconi ministers to quit in move that may speed early vote, BusinessWeek (2010)

This article reports on the possible early elections in Italy. Four top officials of the government resigned, in a move to trigger early elections. Experts around the world believe that the likelihood of new elections in the near future in the country is quite high. Berlusconi will submit a confidence vote in December.

Italy: Berlusconi to offer election law change to former ally Fini, Corriere says, Bloomberg (2010)

This article reports on a possible reform of the electoral law in Italy. According to the major newspaper, Corriere della Sera, Prime Minister Berlusconi will offer to negotiate changes to the electoral law with his former ally and head of the Chamber of Deputies, Giuanfranco Fini. In return, the government will ask for Mr Fini's support in the upcoming confidence vote.

Italian local elections test PM Berlusconi, BBC (2011)

In what is the last vote before the 2013 national Italian elections, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces a crucial round of key local elections. The vote is said to gauge the greater part of the country's reaction to stifling economic growth, high unemployment and a barrage of criminal and sex scandals aimed at the Italian PM.

Italian President Calls For New Electoral Law, Roils Separatists, The Wall Street Journal (2011)

The article reports that Napolitano, the Italian president, called upon the parliament for a new electoral law in order to bring the voters closer to their elected representatives. The president role in the Italian system became more important since the country has an unstable government.

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