Berlusconi quotes Mussolini, laments lack of power

[demoleft]

Source: reuters

(Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi quoted fascist dictator Benito Mussolini Thursday as he lamented what he said was his lack of real power as head of the government.
...
"As prime minister, I have never had the feeling that I was in power," he said at a news conference at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

...

"I will dare to quote you a phrase from someone considered a dictator, a great, powerful dictator, Benito Mussolini," he said.

"In his diary, I recently read this phrase. 'They say I have power. It isn't true. Maybe my party officials do. But I don't know. All I can do is say to my horse go right or left. And I have to be happy with that.'"

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64Q65B20100527

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"from someone considered a dictator" - hehe. yes, there's so much malignity in italy, poor mussolini.
and people have always ignored that "dux" was referred to his horse...

well friends - do you need a joke teller to revive some events or enlighten some party? we have a prime minister available.
in tour now, great success in paris.

(perfect city to quote mussolini, indeed...)

[LeftishBrit]

1. Always thought he was a borderline fascist; this confirms my view.

Hope you can get rid of him soon!

[David__77]

2. He IS a convinced, ideological fascist.

He does not currently try to implement a fascist program because he knows he cannot do so, but he is trying to smash the left. He knows that only the left - socialists and communists - can stop fascism.

[panzerfaust]

3. The 'scone was never borderline

"Mussolini yesterday and today"

[zazen]

4. screwing girls young enough to be his grand- or greatgranddaughters

F-ing hateful sexist entitled prick.



Someone needs her loving kindness meditation this morning . . .

[tanyev]

5. Ah, yes, the lament of all fascists imprisoned in the trappings of democracy.

If Only I Were A Dictator, by George W. Bush

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

Yes, George W. Bush has stated he'd prefer to be a dictator at least three times, according to BuzzFlash.com:

* * *

"You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it's like to be governor of Texas.
(Governing Magazine 7/98)

-- From Paul Begala's "Is Our Children Learning?"

"I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked.

-- CNN.com, December 18, 2000

"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it, " said.

-- Business Week, July 30, 2001

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/10/29_Dictator.html

[Wednesdays]

6. Yeah, the first Mussolini thing worked out so well for Italy

:eyes:

[pampango]

7. Articles on Berlusconi's right-wing party and even more right-wing allies.

http://euobserver.com/883/27863

(3/27/09) - The populist right-wing party of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Friday officially merges with the post-fascist Alleanza Nazionale at the founding congress of Il Popolo della Liberta, the powerful new rightist bloc that is not only set to dominate Italian politics for the foreseeable future, but will also wield considerable power in the European Parliament after the June elections.

The move cements the coalition between two of the three major forces on the Italian right. Forza Italia and the Alleanza Nazionale have partnered since the 1990s and in last year's general election ran together under the Il Popolo della Liberta banner, prefiguring today's fusion.

The Alleanza Nazionale was formed by Mr Fini out of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), the former neo-fascist party, together with a handful of conservative ex-Christian Democrats and Liberals.

Despite once having called Italy's fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, the greatest statesman of the 20th century, Mr Fini has since tried to distance himself from his far right past, making numerous trips to Israel and even criticising elements of the recent hardline security package that targets immigrants and minorities.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7539145/Italian-elections-marks-surge-of-Right-wing-support-across-Europe.html

(3/30/10) - A far-Right party has emerged as a key winner in the Italian elections marking a continuing trend of support for Right wing parties across Europe.

The Northern League, an anti immigration party, which has now become pivotal in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's ruling coalition, has seen it's support more than double in the last five years.

Led by firebrand Umberto Bossi, who once called for the Italian navy to shell boats carrying illegal immigrants towards the country...

James Walston, a political commentator at the American University of Rome, said: "The League has done very well and they will be flexing their muscles for the remaining three years of government. "They will push for further devolution and immigration and race will also be on top of their agenda and these two are issues which are of concern to many Italians.

[eppur_se_muova]

11. Thanks for post and link. It's not like we'd ever hear about this from our Money$treamMedia. nt

[LeftishBrit]

8. What always gets me...

is when he's referred to in the media as 'centre-right'. He is far-right.

[demoleft]

9. because his party is EPP member, the coalition involves conservative catholics...

...and though "liberal" on paper, the former "forza italia" replaced largely the extincted christian democrats of the so called 1st republic.

but he personally dreams of a presidential republic with scarce counter-balancing/interfering power, almost business-company like, as his metaphors show even in the present case.
and guess who should be president? ;)

:hi:

[Heywood J]

10. Will he lose power the same way as his idol?

His body strung up for public display? He should be careful of what he wishes for.