Italy, Talks on Forming Government Break Down

Italy’s political gridlock deepened on Wednesday as talks to form a minority government broke down between the center-left leader, Pier Luigi Bersani, and the upstart Five Star Movement, a month after national elections failed to yield a majority.

International investors have intensified their scrutiny of Italy, the euro zone’s third-largest economy, since the Cyprus government imposed severe capital controls on depositors after securing a 10 billion-euro (about $12.9 billion) bailout of its banks. The euro dropped to a four-month low against the dollar on Wednesday. 

Mr. Bersani said on Wednesday that he would hold more consultations on Thursday and then report to President Giorgio Napolitano on whether he had enough support to cobble together a government. He reiterated that his Democratic Party offered the best chance for change and political stability in Italy, which is facing its own growing economic trouble.

Read more: In Italy, Talks on Forming Government Break Down - NYTimes.com

Italian parliament fails to establish coalition

The selection of a new pope has pushed the political chaos in Italy briefly out of the headlines. But the Italian parliament is still at it, seeking a majority and a government - any government at all. 

The selection of a new pope has pushed the political chaos in Italy briefly out of the headlines. But the Italian parliament is still at it, seeking a majority and a government - any government.

"Black smoke above parliament," Italian television broadcasters announced on Friday, March 15, drawing from the imagery of black or white smoke signaling, respectively, the unsuccessful or successful selection of a new pope. Neither the upper Senate of the Republic nor the lower Chamber of Deputies were successful in agreeing on a president on their first attempt since the elections.

The more-or-less equally represented social democrats, conservatives and "Five Star" protest movement are apparently irreconcilably at odds, as demonstrated by their inability to select the rather representative post of president. Three weeks after the general elections, the resulting party constellation threatens to create political deadlock.

Pier Luigi Bersani of the social democrats - which claims a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, but not in the Senate - sought nearly desperately to ally with the grillini, in order to gain at least a minority government. But despite an appeal from leftist intellectuals, Grillo rejected Bersani's overtures.

Although the grillini appear to want to decide policy on a case-by-case basis, Italy can only gain a prime minister through a vote of confidence in both the upper and lower houses of parliament. But social democratic parliamentarian Aniello Fornisano said that at the moment, this remains a "very difficult" proposal.


Read more: Italian parliament fails to establish coalition | Europe | DW.DE | 16.03.2013

Italian Elections Part 2: Bersani ultimatum may bring new Italy election closer

Last week's election, in which Grillo's 5-Star Movement won a huge protest vote, left no group with a working majority in parliament, making an alliance with a rival the only way out.

On RAI state television late on Sunday, Bersani underlined his opposition to two of the options floated - another technocrat government like the outgoing one led by Mario Monti or a coalition with Silvio Berlusconi's center-right.

That would leave only one possibility to avoid elections - Grillo's backing for the center-left, which won the lower house in the election but does not have enough support in the Senate.
"Now (Grillo) must say what he wants, otherwise we all go home, including him," Bersani said.

Read more: Bersani ultimatum may bring new Italy election closer | Reuters

Italy's Bersani keen to soften tough reform plans

Initial results point to Italy's center-left alliance as the largest group in the newly-elected parliament. Former Communist Pier Luigi Bersani could be the next premier. 

The election campaign was fierce and personal. In one television program, 61-year-old Pier Luigi Bersani said that he has no problem with his own bald head with its halo of black hair around the sides - an allusion to his main rival, Silvio Berlusconi.

Bersani, who is not a man of grandiose gestures and likes to keep things simple, differs markedly from Berlusconi, who makes no effort to hide his repeated face-liftings and hair implants. Quite the contrary: the 76-year-old Berlusconi even makes fun of his age and the attempts to regain his youth. "I used to look younger. Who was it that got rid of all the mirrors that showed that?" he said with a wry smile during an election rally.

Read more: Italy's Bersani keen to soften tough reform plans | Europe | DW.DE | 25.02.2013