Enrico Letta nominated as Italy's new prime minister

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: Guardian

Italy appeared to be on the verge of resolving its weeks-long political stalemate after the country's president tasked a senior figure in the centre-left Democratic party (PD) with the formation of a grand coalition government including Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right.

Enrico Letta, deputy leader of the PD, said he had accepted a mandate to become Italy's prime minister-designate with "a sense of deep responsibility" given the "very difficult, fragile, unprecedented" situation of the country.

"The country is waiting for a government. Everyone knows this is situation that cannot go on like this," he said, adding that politics in Italy had "lost all credibility".

Letta said he would try to form "a government of service to the country".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/24/enrico-letta-italy-prime-minister

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

1. Forza Enrico

Let's see what happens. I do disagree with his sentiment that politics in Italy has lost all credibility. Unfortunately, that happened a long time ago

But then it's what makes Italian politics so much fun.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I don't know if it is

That much fun . . . My 79 year old stroke surivivor father in law and 72 year old lung cancer survivor mother in law 'lost' their hospital last year (they are in Acri). My husband's uncles, aunts, and many many cousins live there. As well - his brother - whose son's school is facing severe cut backs. It's only 'fun' if your elderly family members who do not drive now have to drive 1.5 hours to Cosenza in an emergency.


I understand you were being tongue in cheek - but this uncertainty of 'the devil we know' (link to Berlusconi) is eh? "Not so good" as my Giovanni says.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

3. Sorry about your in-laws

There is a huge difference between the facilities in northern and central Italy versus those in southern Italy, much like in the U.S., where facilities in rural southern states are far less optimal than those in more progressive states.

My 95-year old step-grandmother (who died a couple of years ago) was provided by her region - Liguria - with two nurses (day and night) because she was getting more and more blind and she lived too far from Genova. Obviously she didn't have transportation.

I've had nothing but good things to say about the health care services and facilities in my hometown of Bologna, but then again Bologna has always had a good reputation for health care and the city administration (not coincidentally, most of Bologna's administrators have been center-left - Bologna is called 'the red' for this reason too).

I have also had excellent experiences in public schools (from kindergarten all the way to my first year in Liceo) and I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't get the foundations that I have had.

My uncle and cousins live in Prato, near Florence, and they have had good experiences in public schools. They are about 18-17 years younger than I am.

Then again, I can also say that my experiences in rural North Carolina - whether in health care or schools - were less than positive.

Yes, I was being tongue in cheek about Italian politics being 'fun.' I get to vote in elections (assuming the Italian consular section sends me the ballot on time - sometimes it does not happen) and I do keep up via newspapers of various persuasions (though I prefer La Repubblica and Il Corriere della Sera).

Southern Italy has been plagued with corruption and grift for quite a long time. The incestuous relationships between local politicians and builders have produced disastrous results - infrastructure that was poorly built, crumbling buildings, etc. Corruption is rampant and the 'little' people (as in, those not affiliated with la camorra, 'ndrangheta or mafia) end up suffering, while the others enrich themselves and their cronies.

[brooklynite]

4. Imagine...Beppo Grillo's Party could have formed a stronger progressive coalition with PD.

...but he decided he wasn't going to compromise on ANY of his principles and wouldn't work with anyone else.

Guess he showed them...