Berlusconi

[Silver]

catso said:

Yes, he probably does and maybe will. He only needs to make promises to cut unpopular taxes or give some other similar radical 'benefits' for all.

I wouldn't be surprised...

I would be. He was hugely unpopular in Italy for at least a few years beforehand and the people were crying out for his resignation well before he actually stepped down. Yes, I agree that he could make some unrealistic promises and win over a few people (much like the BNP) but I don't believe he'd actually get back into power.

[Asterix]

First thing I heard when they were reporting this earlier was '...the 76 year old billionaire...'

Why would you want to bother at that age with that amount of wealth? I'd be very happy just to be sitting on a beach somewhere.

[anonymous-user]

Power is a drug. That's why.

[DJRC]

I was in Italy on business earlier this week. We discussed Bunga over lunch and I initially asked how long was he in the clink for? They were despairing when they said that no, he was in fact challenging for election again.

The north of Italy is up in arms over him

[Eric Mc]

You can't keep a good crook down.

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Some people just cannot be happy unless they are seen to have a job with high status. Having the money is not the issue for these people - it stopped having any bearing on their lives long ago.

[Asterix]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I suppose the latter is very true at that sort of level of wealth.

[smegmore]

Asterix said:

First thing I heard when they were reporting this earlier was '...the 76 year old billionaire...'

Why would you want to bother at that age with that amount of wealth? I'd be very happy just to be sitting on a beach somewhere.

The longer he's in power the longer he'll stay out of the dock.

[Getragdogleg]

smegmore said:

Asterix said:

First thing I heard when they were reporting this earlier was '...the 76 year old billionaire...'

Why would you want to bother at that age with that amount of wealth? I'd be very happy just to be sitting on a beach somewhere.

The longer he's in power the longer he'll stay out of the dock.

It's not about the money, it's about the game. Power is addictive.

[JuniorD]

DJRC said:

I was in Italy on business earlier this week. We discussed Bunga over lunch and I initially asked how long was he in the clink for? They were despairing when they said that no, he was in fact challenging for election again.

The north of Italy is up in arms over him

I've been in northern Italy a lot in the last year and everyone seems to hate the bugger.

[Digga]

Further developments: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/uk-italy-...

Reuters said:

Italian borrowing costs soared and share prices tumbled on Monday as the markets took fright at Prime Minister Mario Monti's announcement that he will step down early.

[vonuber]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Not from the ones I know. But then they have all fled the country to here, so it may be unrepresentative.

[Victor McDade]

Reuters) - The centre-right coalition led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was leading in the race for the Italian Senate, according to updated projections from television stations after vote counting began on Monday.

[Shaw Tarse]

I thought the thread was being bumped due to the ladies protesting against him.

[RSoovy4]

He's-a-gonna-win!


(kneeling woman not shown).