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Articles on Silvio Berlusconi

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Italians voted “No” by a convincing margin in the referendum on constitutional change.

What’s next for Italy?

In a climate of widespread discontent with Italy’s political establishment, a new election might wipe out most of the parties in the current government coalition.
Yes or no? Italian voters decide on December 4.

Will Italy’s referendum trigger the next crisis?

To understand whether the referendum will plunge Italy into a crisis, we need to unpack the problem in its three essential components: the reform; the Renzi’s factor; and the country’s economy.
Like Italian politician Silvio Berlusconi (right), PUP leader Clive Palmer heads up what can be termed a ‘personal’ party. AAP/EPA/Alan Porritt/Angelo Carconi

Why Clive Palmer’s personal party is doomed to end in tears

While Silvio Berlusconi has shown himself to be adept at transferring business organisational and marketing skills to politics, Clive Palmer has appeared completely out of his depth in this sense.
In contrast to incumbent Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, his potential successor, Malcolm Turnbull, is often described as ‘charismatic’. AAP/Mick Tsikas

Are ‘charismatic’ leaders really charismatic?

Those of us who study politics are fortunate, but also unfortunate, to work in an academic field whose terms are widely used and abused in public debate. “Populist”, which I’ve written about here, is one…
Results in the European Parliament elections so far indicate a slide towards the Eurosceptic and right-wing parties, such as Nigel Farage’s UK Independence Party. EPA/Gerry Penny

Far-right rises in European Parliament elections, but is it a ‘Euroquake’?

Some 400 million eligible voters, 751 seats, 28 countries: a portrait of true democracy at work – unless they held an election and nobody came. Average voter turnout in the weekend’s European Parliament…
The EU election result will affect Matteo Renzi’s domestic reform programme. EPA/Ian Langsdon

EU election: first electoral test for new PM Renzi in Italy

In Italy, as elsewhere, elections for the European parliament have always tended to be “second order”. This means that voters see them as less important than the “first-order” elections for the national…
Bribe me Berly one more time! Chris Ratcliffe/PA

Europe’s elites are more like Berlusconi than you think

Silvio Berlusconi has finally learned the outcome of being found guilty of tax fraud last May. He was originally sentenced to four years in prison, but Italian law prevents over-70s from doing prison time…
Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi. EPA/Julien Warnand

Italy’s best-ever shot at political reform is no sure thing

On 12 March, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies approved proposals for major electoral reform, which must now be passed by the senate. The proposals are the fruit of a cross-party agreement that has given Italy…
Consummate political performer: Matteo Renzi. Mario Carlini / Iguana Press

Springtime for Matteo Renzi, Italy’s untested political tyro

Three weeks can be an awfully long time in politics. Last Thursday, Matteo Renzi, the new leader of Italy’s Democratic Party (PD) – the largest member of the country’s ruling coalition – announced that…
After 20 years, Silvio Berlusconi’s greatest legacy is a country in shambles, without a future and hope. EPA/Guido Montani

Enough of the failed fable of the martyr Silvio Berlusconi

On Wednesday evening, the Italian Senate forced former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to step down as a senator. In typical Italian fashion, the day of reckoning for Berlusconi lasted almost four months…

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