Ugh. Big tally for Berlusconi throws wrench into Italy's election

[cali]

Silvio Berlusconi pulled off a Lazarus-like rise from political oblivion on Monday by securing enough support in Italy’s general election to hobble, or block altogether, the formation of a new government.

Early projections were fluid and sometimes contradictory, but the billionaire businessman’s conservative coalition seemed to have won a majority in the senate, the upper house of parliament.

Millions of Italians appeared to have been seduced by promises he made during a fiery election campaign, including pledges to repeal and pay back an unpopular property tax and to create millions of new jobs.

His portrayal of his center-left opponents as unreconstructed Communists, and of Germany as an unfairly harsh fiscal task master imposing austerity on Italians, also struck a chord with many voters.

<snip>

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0225/Big-tally-for-Berlusconi-throws-wrench-into-Italy-s-election

[FightingIrish]

1. Italy has a problem similar to ours with non-thinking voters

It says much when a comedian and a former cruise ship lounge singer get more than half of the votes.

[Dawson Leery]

2. +1

[FarCenter]

3. How do you think an election among Donald Trump, Al Gore, Jon Stewart and Ben Bernanke would go?