Elections leave Italy in a political mess

Italian elections showed, once again, that Italy is a political mess.

Former prime minister Mario Monti paid a very highpolitical price for implementing austerity policies that worsened the economic and social conditions of the country.

Apparently, the centre-left party obtained a much lower consensus than expected. One-third of Italians voted, once again, for Silvio Berlusconi. The possibility that Italy will start climbing up the “Corruption Perceptions Index” from position #72 seems still quite remote.

Decades of political ineptitude and corruption have left the country in deep troubles. “Il Cavaliere”, that has been in politics for almost 20 years now, can perhaps “pride” himself of having the most extensive record of criminal allegations a former prime minister of an advanced democracy ever achieved: mafia collusion, tax fraud, tax evasion, corruption, bribery of police officers and judges.

Bu what will terrify the financial markets is the rise of comedian Beppe Grillo. Grillo’s Five Stars movement has been fighting the very corruption that contributed to make the country “business-unfriendly”. Should not “financial markets” support Grillo’s political crusade against corruption with both hands? If not, are they really pro-democracy?

Prof Roberto De Vogli

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health

University College London

England