Leading article: An unwelcome return

News in pictures
News in pictures
Opinion blogs

“Not growing inequality”

What do we want? “A fairer sharing of rewards not growing inequality.” Well said, Ed Mil...

A defence of competition in health care

Just when you thought he was six feet under and all forgotten, Andrew Lansley comes bouncing back up...

Prime Ministers shopping

There was a flurry of interest last Monday when David Cameron went to Morrison's to be photographed ...

For those who despair of the Italian political system – and they include many of the country's own citizens – Silvio Berlusconi's emergence as the apparent victor of the general election can only serve to fulfil their worst apprehensions. After barely two years in the political wilderness, the man who was widely dismissed as representative of the worst aspects of traditional Italian politics, a businessman who had used his wealth to buy up the media, his position to avoid prosecution on corruption charges and his political command to alter the electoral laws in his own favour, seems on the exit poll results at least to be coming back to power.

Not only has Berlusconi seemed, on the first indications, to have won a clear victory in the House of Deputies but also, on the early results, a decisive lead in the Senate, where his own electoral reforms have made it more difficult for any party to gain a majority. The left can gain some cheer from the perfectly respectable showing of Walter Veltroni and his Democratic Party. Indeed, the speed and energy with which the former mayor of Rome has reversed the slide in the fortunes of the left has been very creditable. On the other side, meanwhile, there is the depressing fact that Berlusconi owes much of his success to his alliance with the resurgent Northern League, who may have doubled their representation in the election. Berlusconi's closeness to a separatist ally with profoundly right-wing views is one of the most disturbing features of this vote.

In the end, the Italians seem to have given a clear mandate to Berlusconi. They may have done so partly out of disillusion with the left and the efforts of the last Prime Minister, Romano Prodi. But it may also be a sign – like their vote for the Northern League – of disillusion with the state of Italian politics.

For it is less the minutiae of the election itself that are of most concern to Italians and to Europe in general, than the failure of Italy's creaking political system to produce an effective government, or a clean one. The corruption and political stagnation which has prevented the country achieving economic development at home or weight abroad in the past two decades has become ever more apparent in the new millennium. It needs a new generation and a fresh political start, with a government prepared to tackle constitutional reform and economic change.

Berlusconi has the authority, but has he the character or the will? Based on his past performances, he is a politician of the old school, concerned primarily with his own interests and those who can help him. Perhaps he will change now. But, if not, Italy is in for another five years of regression, with the awful prospect that, if reports from those close to him are correct, he is keen to take on the presidency for another seven years after that. Perish the thought.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner