I used to live in Rome.
How I miss the Italian way of life.
What a pleasure to read this article.
3
It’s a very good article that synthesizes the political madness that Italy is facing now. A very regrettable and obscene picture that summarizes the problem of these days across western democracies: the policies are decided by people who act and think like drunks in a bar. I see Salvini calling for elections because the assumption is that he will have a landslide of votes. However, it is always good to remember that elections are very weird and recent history teaches the results can be very different from what to expect. The same warning applies to all the Democratic presidential candidates here in US. Be aware of elections: they are a weird animal to manage...
16
I live in Italy so I get to read about Salvini every day. He's a genius politician who absolutely runs rings around his opposition (especially the now nearly extinct Partido Democratico, but also the 5 Star Party too). Whenever articles like this one appear in English-language newspapers, the usual comments are made comparing him to Mussolini or claiming that he is a "fascist." Some strange "fascist"; he is absolutely committed to democratic, electoral politics. His enemies like to wheel out the tired old "fascist" label because his policies (especial re. migrants) are wildly popular and because they're jealous of him. He is simply a much more skillful politician than they are. So I say, Bravo Salvini, or perhaps I should say, Bravo Capitano! You're entertaining and you've accomplished something none of the handwringers managed or wanted to do--you've almost totally shut down stopped the migrant wave from Libya.
10
@Lotzapappa
sadly economy don t go , sadly just let people on boat in the sea , and italians think most of them are the problems , sadly the italian public debt it shooted so high,,, he said "it s normal we want make debt for business" but we lost the trust on financial markets. So funny clow salvini , so sad is the true ....
5
@dave Buonasera, Dave. No Italian I know wants to let people drown in the sea. But a lot of them think that the right thing to do after they've been rescued is to bring them back either (1) to Libya or (2) to Tunisia. Either of these places are much closer from the spots they've been picked up (usually a few miles off the Libyab coast) than Italy. You only bring them to Italy if you want to make a political statement, not a rescue. Happily, most Italians understand this and the NGO buonista nonsense has mostly stopped.
9
Sometimes I'm ashamed of being italian ... :(
8
Try being an American with Trump!
13
I am extremely disappointed by your coverage of Matteo Salvini that makes him sound so frivolous! In actual fact, he is enacting policies that are wanted by many Italians. Just because he has had his picture taken on one beach does not mean he's been on the beach for weeks. Italy' coastline is full of beaches - it's normal for everyone to go to the beach on weekends.
His love life should be kept out of your article, that's only his business and not ours.
I think your journalists should show a bit more respect towards Mr. Salvini. When he took over his party about 4 years ago, his party's consensus was at about 3% - he has now brought that to 38%. I say he's a smart politician.
11
"How can one govern a Country with 258 kinds of cheese?" asked Charles de Gaulle.
Italy has even more varieties of cheese and most likely even more dialects.
It could be funny, but having gone through 61 governments in 71 years, although ridiculous, is hardly a laughing matter.
The fact that so many Italians, myself included, have very little respect for politicians of all stripes does not justify electing comedians and buffoons, just because they are "simpatici".
Wake up, Italians! No matter how much we need Russian energy, we are too smart to fall for the same puppeteers who have given America to "the donald".
19
Italy should be run for Italians. How is that controversial? South Asia and Africa are enormous continents, rich in natural resources. The peoples of Africa and Asia need to work to build successful societies. They have the natural resources. They have manpower. If they establish stability, people will be willing to lend them capital or they can sell natural resources to fund their own development. This was Trumps challenge when he told the four Congresswomen to go back to the countries they came from and build societies which were better and more just than America. There is no natural barrier stopping great societies from emerging. It is not Italy's job to solve the problems of the world. They have more than enough problems of their own. Italy for Italians.
17
Salvini has done a good job of following the Trump script, starting with identifying immigrants as the cause of most national problems. Going into communities and underscoring how elderly pensioners getting 900 euros per month is what undocumented immigrants get as a "hand out". The left or what remains of the left has no answer to the divisive populism of Salvini. The 5 star movement has shown it's lack of experience as an asset for the League. Less than 75 years since the demise of Mussolini and the fascist era, Italians have forgotten their history. "Strongmen" will never be the answer.
24
On August 15 Italians (and most of Europe) will go on vacation for at least 3/4 weeks. What does America do? We are to scared to go on vacation. We have tons to learn from Europe and their quality of life which is far superior than ours. Americans work harder than any other industrialized nation but get no benefits in return.
43