Italian Regional Elections Update – Berlusconi set to pick up three more regions in 2010

As of 6.30 PM. Of the 13 regions in play, the center-right has 4 (Lombary, Veneto, Calabria and Campania) and the Center Left has 6 (Tuscany, Umbria, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Basilicata and Puglia). Three are still to close to call (Piedmont, Liguria, Lazio).
For now the governing Center-right coalition lead by Silvia Berlusconi has a guaranteed net gain of two regions. I predict that he will pick up one of the other three, for an overall net gain of three regions.
Both sides will declare victory. The center-left because last years European elections and polls just a few months ago had the experts predicting much bigger losses. The center-right because hey gained a few regions, most of them populous.
One of the sure winners appears to be the opposition centrist UDC party which chose to go alone or with both sides, based on local coalition evaluations. Partial data appears to show them either choosing the winning sides where they chose them, and maintaining or increasing their share of consensus most place they ran alone.
Joshua Lawrence

forwarditalia@tiscali.it

Repost: Italy’s electoral lists saga – a guide (from Italy Magazine)

The following article from Italy Magazine (www.italymag.co.uk) is a good roundup of the controversy around the ruling coalitions’s difficulties getting it’s candidates on the ballot in a few of the countries regional elections.

Italy’s electoral lists saga – a guide

Are you confused by recent events regarding the Regional elections in Italy? Here’s our guide:

What is an electoral list?

Since 2005 Italy has used a “party list” electoral system. This means that parties must submit lists of candidates prior to any elections and seats are allocated in proportion to the number of votes cast for each party.

When are the Regional elections in Italy?

Regional elections will take place in 13 regions on 28th – 29th March.

Why has Mr Berlusconi’s Party been barred from the election in Rome?

The party lists for the Regional elections had to be submitted to the election office before midday on Saturday 27th February. Mr Berlusconi’s Pdl Party did not submit its list on time in the Rome office and was subsequently barred from taking part in the election in the Province of Rome.

How did this happen?

A party worker, Alfredo Milioni, was entrusted with the task of submitting the list. He says that on 27th February he arrived at the electoral office in Rome at around 11.30 am. He at first said that, finding a long queue, he “popped out for a sandwich”. Later he said he had gone to check on his daughter, who was in his car. Later still he claimed that he went to fetch some important documents and finally that he was physically prevented from entering the building by opposition party members. There have also been suggestions that Mr Milioni was late because there was some last-minute arguing in the Party about candidates. Whatever happened, by the time Mr Milioni returned, at “about” 12.15, it was too late and he was told that the list could not be accepted.

What was Mr Berlusconi’s reaction?

As you can imagine, he was not, and is not, very happy. He claimed that opposition party workers had created some kind of distraction in the electoral office, causing Mr Milioni and other Pdl representatives to step back so that they were “1 centimetre” outside the premises at midday. Yesterday Mr Berlusconi accused “left-wing” magistrates of discriminating against his party.

Renata Polverini, Mr Berlusconi’s candidate for Governor of Lazio – the position formerly held by Piero Marrazzo – called upon President Napolitano to intervene.

The full text can be read here:

http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/lazio/italys-electoral-lists-saga-guide

New Poll shows Italy’s Democratic Party (PD) losing ground

Italy’s Partito Democratico ongoing itnernal crisis is now reflected in opinion polls as well.
La Repubblica, second largest (and left leanting) dailyn newspaper today published and opinion poll that it commissioned from IPR Marketing that show’s that PD’s has dropped to 28 per cent, far from both the last elections (when the party got 33.2 per cent) and the previous one, when DS and Marghertita, the two parties which converged into PD, obtained 31.1 per cent. According to the survey the country’s most popular party in Italy is still Popolo della Libertà (PDL), – lead by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – with 39 per cent against the April 13 and 14 elections (37 per cent). Italia dei Valori, the party of former prosecutor Antonio Di Pietro, has risen to 7.8 per cent, an exceptional climb against the April elections when it got 3.4 per cent, while Lega Nord is apparently losing ground, falling from the 7.5 per cent in this poll, down 0.8 per on last Spring’s general elections.
The important thing to note, however, is that changes withing the center-right ruling coalition are still well withing the marging of error, but those in the center-left opposition are larger, on the surface showing a drop in consensus for the main party and a rise in Di Pietro’s IDV party.
Walter Veltron’s PD has shown itself recently to be prone not only to infighting but, much worse, a lack of consesnsus as to what it stands for and where it wants to go, starting from what European Party it’s members should caucus with after European elections in the spring (the European Socialist Party of the Liberal Democrats) down to unclear positions on many issues facing the country.
IDV’s strongly branded “transparency in government” policies, on the other hand, may be seen as safe shelter to many looking for a party with issues they can stand by.

The Leopard

Change for black or the same old leopard?

Much attention has been given to the press about Italy’s political tide to the right. Not only was Silvio Berlusconi’s coalition sent to power with a landslide, the Center-left’s candidate old job – Mayor of Rome – was won by Alemanno who was an activist in the ex-fascist party in Mr. Berlusconi’s coalition.

In a parallel to the way Washington Repubblican’s media-attacks on Hollywood, the new mayor has alread publicly announced that left wing actors like George Clooney will be much less welcome at Rome’s film festival. (He later partially backtracked on the statement, and commentators did point out that the City does not control the festival outright, nominating only one member of the Board)

So Italy is swinging heavily to the right and those of us living her are in for a major period of change.
Or are we?

It is common currency here that Italy is, as the Sicilain novelist Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa put it in “The Leopard”, like a Leopard: it may have different spots but it is always a leopard.

(The movie was later brought to the silver screen by Luchino Visconti with Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon – a must see for movie buffs).

In other words, the City of Rome passes from an ex-communist (Veltroni) to an ex-fascist (Alemanno) and no one is running to the hills (yet). Heads are rolling in town hall but that’s the old spoils system at work.

Only time will tell if the has changed into anther beast, or just its spots.

Two-way Eng-Bul Dictionary

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1. a, затворен, закрит;
2. скрит, уединен;
3. потаен, мълчалив;
4. спарен, душен;
5. близък, тесен;
6. подробен, щателен;
7. сбит, свързан, без интервали;
8. почти равен.
II. v, 1. затварям, закривам;
2. свършвам, приключвам;
3. елек: затварям верига.
III. n, край, завършек, закриване.
IV. adv, 1. близо до;
2. почти.
C quarters - pl: тясно/ограничено пространство.
C shave, C thing – прен: спасение като по чудо.
C order – воен: сгъстен строй.

English-Bulgarian

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[klolis] а 1. тесен, затворен; ~ vowel фон. затворена гласна; 2. душен, задушен, тежък, спарен, непроветрен; a~ smell миризма на застоял въздух; 3. скрит, потаен, мълчалив, прикрит; to keep/lie ~ крия се. спотайвам се: 4. стиснат, свидлив; S. затворен, ограничен, за ограничена категория хора/кандидати/състезатели и пр.; под възбрана; 6. строг (за арест и пр.), 7. близък, интимен, сърдечен; 8. гъст, плътен, сбит (за тькан, почерк, редици и пр.)’, 9. близък, непосредствен (по време, място и пр.), тесен (и прен.), (at) ~ intervals (на) малки/чести/близкй интервали; ~ resemblance голяма прилика; ~ combat воен. ръкопашен бой; 10. внимателен, подробен, щателен; точен (за изследване и пр.)’, съередоточен (за внимание)’, II. почти равен, много оспорван (за шанс, изгледи за успех – при сьстезания, игра, избери и пр.), 12. рядък, дефицитен. [] adv 1. близо, наблизо; в непосредствена близост; to be/follow ~ behind следвам отблизо, вървя по петите на; to keep ~ to s.th./s.o. стоя/държа се близо до нещо/някого; to keep ~ to the text придържам се (строго) към текста; to flt ~ прилягам плътно/точно; ~ together близо един до друг, на гъсто; sit closer together сгъстете се; ~at hand недалеч; ~ by,~ on, ~ to съвсем наблизо; ~ (up)on близо, почти; he is ~ on fifty той e почти петдесетгодишен; it is ~ (up)on midnight вече e почти полунощ; ~ to the wind 1) мор. почти срещу вятъра; 2) прен. на границата на законното/моралното; to shave ~ бръсна се/избръсвам се гладко; to cut ~ изрязвам/подрязвам ниско/до корена; 2. отблизо, внимателно, щателно. [] n 1. оградено място; 2. ограден двор на катедрала; училищен двор/игрище; 3. задънена/сляпа улица. [klouz] v 1. затварям (се); затискам; запушвам, запълвам (дута, цепнатина и пр.), 2. приключвам работа, затварям магазин и пр. 3. прен. затварям; to ~ o.’s eyes to s.th. правя се, че не виждам нещо, умишлено замижавам пред нещо; my mouth is ~d не мога/не смея/не бива да говоря; 4. завършвам, привършвам, приключвам, свършвам; закривам (дебаты, сметка и пр.)-, the day is closing денят преваля, смрачава се; 5. затягам, ссъстявам, сплотявам; close about ограждам, обкръжавам; обгръщам; the mists ~d about us мъглата ни обгърна/обви (напълно); close down затварям, закривам; бивам затворен/закрит; прекратявам работа, спирам производство; рад., телев. прекратявам предаването за деня/до следващия ден; close in 1) стеснявам кръга, заграждам, обграждам; 2) падам, спущам се, сгъстявам се (за мрак и пр.) (on, upon); 3) ставам по-къс, намалявам (за дни), 4) ~ in upon приближавам се и нападам; close out ам. 1) продавам; ликвидирам; 2) правя пълна разпродажба на стоки; close up 1) придвижвам се по-наблизо (to до); 2) изпълвам, запълвам; слепвам се, сраствам се; зараствам; 3) сгъстявам (се), сплотявам (се); 4) приключвам, свършвам; закривам се (породи фалит – за фирма и пр.)’, close with 1) съгласявам се с условията на, сключвам сделка/споразумение с; 2) сбивам се, счепквам се, скопчвам се в борба с (някого). [] n 1. край, завършък (на период и пр.), приключване (на дейност и пр.)’, закриване; заключение; край; 2. муз. завършък на музикална фраза, каденца.

Especially for Terry –English to B…

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[klolis] а 1. тесен, затворен; ~ vowel фон. затворена гласна; 2{2} [] adv 1. близо, наблизо; в непосредствена близост; to be/f{3} [] n 1. оградено място; 2. ограден двор на катедрала; учили{4} [klouz] v 1. затварям (се); затискам; запушвам, запълвам (д{5} [] n 1. край, завършък (на период и пр.), приключване (на д

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Two-way Eng-Bul Dictionary

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1. a, затворен, закрит;
2. скрит, уединен;
3. потаен, мълчалив;
4. спарен, душен;
5. близък, тесен;
6. подробен, щателен;
7. сбит, свързан, без интервали;
8. почти равен.
II. v, 1. затварям, закривам;
2. свършвам, приключвам;
3. елек: затварям верига.
III. n, край, завършек, закриване.
IV. adv, 1. близо до;
2. почти.
C quarters - pl: тясно/ограничено пространство.
C shave, C thing – прен: спасение като по чудо.
C order – воен: сгъстен строй.

English-Bulgarian

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[klolis] а 1. тесен, затворен; ~ vowel фон. затворена гласна; 2. душен, задушен, тежък, спарен, непроветрен; a~ smell миризма на застоял въздух; 3. скрит, потаен, мълчалив, прикрит; to keep/lie ~ крия се. спотайвам се: 4. стиснат, свидлив; S. затворен, ограничен, за ограничена категория хора/кандидати/състезатели и пр.; под възбрана; 6. строг (за арест и пр.), 7. близък, интимен, сърдечен; 8. гъст, плътен, сбит (за тькан, почерк, редици и пр.)’, 9. близък, непосредствен (по време, място и пр.), тесен (и прен.), (at) ~ intervals (на) малки/чести/близкй интервали; ~ resemblance голяма прилика; ~ combat воен. ръкопашен бой; 10. внимателен, подробен, щателен; точен (за изследване и пр.)’, съередоточен (за внимание)’, II. почти равен, много оспорван (за шанс, изгледи за успех – при сьстезания, игра, избери и пр.), 12. рядък, дефицитен. [] adv 1. близо, наблизо; в непосредствена близост; to be/follow ~ behind следвам отблизо, вървя по петите на; to keep ~ to s.th./s.o. стоя/държа се близо до нещо/някого; to keep ~ to the text придържам се (строго) към текста; to flt ~ прилягам плътно/точно; ~ together близо един до друг, на гъсто; sit closer together сгъстете се; ~at hand недалеч; ~ by,~ on, ~ to съвсем наблизо; ~ (up)on близо, почти; he is ~ on fifty той e почти петдесетгодишен; it is ~ (up)on midnight вече e почти полунощ; ~ to the wind 1) мор. почти срещу вятъра; 2) прен. на границата на законното/моралното; to shave ~ бръсна се/избръсвам се гладко; to cut ~ изрязвам/подрязвам ниско/до корена; 2. отблизо, внимателно, щателно. [] n 1. оградено място; 2. ограден двор на катедрала; училищен двор/игрище; 3. задънена/сляпа улица. [klouz] v 1. затварям (се); затискам; запушвам, запълвам (дута, цепнатина и пр.), 2. приключвам работа, затварям магазин и пр. 3. прен. затварям; to ~ o.’s eyes to s.th. правя се, че не виждам нещо, умишлено замижавам пред нещо; my mouth is ~d не мога/не смея/не бива да говоря; 4. завършвам, привършвам, приключвам, свършвам; закривам (дебаты, сметка и пр.)-, the day is closing денят преваля, смрачава се; 5. затягам, ссъстявам, сплотявам; close about ограждам, обкръжавам; обгръщам; the mists ~d about us мъглата ни обгърна/обви (напълно); close down затварям, закривам; бивам затворен/закрит; прекратявам работа, спирам производство; рад., телев. прекратявам предаването за деня/до следващия ден; close in 1) стеснявам кръга, заграждам, обграждам; 2) падам, спущам се, сгъстявам се (за мрак и пр.) (on, upon); 3) ставам по-къс, намалявам (за дни), 4) ~ in upon приближавам се и нападам; close out ам. 1) продавам; ликвидирам; 2) правя пълна разпродажба на стоки; close up 1) придвижвам се по-наблизо (to до); 2) изпълвам, запълвам; слепвам се, сраствам се; зараствам; 3) сгъстявам (се), сплотявам (се); 4) приключвам, свършвам; закривам се (породи фалит – за фирма и пр.)’, close with 1) съгласявам се с условията на, сключвам сделка/споразумение с; 2) сбивам се, счепквам се, скопчвам се в борба с (някого). [] n 1. край, завършък (на период и пр.), приключване (на дейност и пр.)’, закриване; заключение; край; 2. муз. завършък на музикална фраза, каденца.

Especially for Terry –English to B…

close

[klolis] а 1. тесен, затворен; ~ vowel фон. затворена гласна; 2{2} [] adv 1. близо, наблизо; в непосредствена близост; to be/f{3} [] n 1. оградено място; 2. ограден двор на катедрала; учили{4} [klouz] v 1. затварям (се); затискам; запушвам, запълвам (д{5} [] n 1. край, завършък (на период и пр.), приключване (на д

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Understanding Italian politics….

is not always easy. But I can assure you, things in Italy can be at once simpler and more complicated than its reputation may let on.

But as with most of Italy, the more you know, the bigger the reward. Weather you are here out of curiosity, or need to start understanding italian politics, institutions, business climate or anything else for professional reasons (I work as a PR, public affairs and relationship building consultant here), this might be a good place to start building your understanding of this wonderful country’s often frustrating political and public policy system.

Just as a starter….most people would assume that 48 postwar governments between 1948 and 1992 would mean that Italy was one of Europe’s (if not the world’s) most unstable democracies. But if you look under the surface might start to realize that it was probably one of the most stable.

So, let me try to play Virgil to your Dante in guiding you through the Inverno that is the Italian politica system from Machiavelli to today.

Joshua Lawrence, Rome / L’Aquila