Berlusconi to resign

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

I can post as I see fit within the rules, apologies if you find criticism of the undemocratic, corrupt, economically crippling disaster that is the EU offensive.

Tangible evidence, tricky, let's see what comes out over the next few days shall we?

I didn't mean to say you couldn't post as you see fit. It's no secret that Monti has a track record in Europe.

It's no secret either that he's a qualified economist, which would make him a sensible candidate.

Hell, I don't know what the candidates are (and I suspect you don't either), but it seems a little presumptuous to label him as an EU-appointed apparatchik just because he's held an EU post?

[Ignitionnet]

Tad more than just an EU post - time will tell.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15695056

In 2010, Mr Monti was one of the founders of a European federalist initiative known as the Spinelli Group, which seeks to promote greater EU integration. Other members include former commission president Jacques Delors, former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer and Green MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit.

[danielf]

Really, I'm not sure what the problem is.

Is it you objecting to the fact that he's a europhile, or do you share Chris's suspicion that he was put there by the EU?

Either way, someone needs to replace Berlusconi, and it appears that there's broad support for Mr. Monti in the Italian parliament. If there wasn't he'd be voted out in no time.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by danielf

Really, I'm not sure what the problem is.

Is it you objecting to the fact that he's a europhile, or do you share Chris's suspicion that he was put there by the EU?

Either way, someone needs to replace Berlusconi, and it appears that there's broad support for Mr. Monti in the Italian parliament. If there wasn't he'd be voted out in no time.

He's there only while the current urgent economic situation is resolved then the parliament demand an election.

I share Chris's suspicion - it seems that the modus operandi is removal of the PM and replacement with a Europhile technocrat - see Greece and the PM foist on them by the Troika.

[danielf]

Interesting take here

Who, What, Why: What can technocrats achieve that politicians can't?

Italy is no stranger to the phenomenon, having appointed several technocrats to lead the country out of various economic crises in the early 1990s.

The first was Giuliano Amato who became prime minister in 1992 to respond to Italy's expulsion from the European Monetary System. In 1995, Lamberto Dini took the reins to reform the country's pensions system.

"These times are engraved on the memory of most Italians," says Mr Incerti, because they are times of extreme duress and economic problems.

There is no suggestion that these two appointments are part of a wider European trend, he says. Indeed there may have been periods in the last 10 or 20 years when there were more examples than there are now.

"Smaller European states have often turned to technocrats when they have difficulty in getting a viable coalition together and a non-party figure is part of the deal brokered."

[Dai]

This is the bit that worries me:

"Also, these are men familiar to leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, because of the institutions at which they have worked."

Members of the Inner Circle and known to be totally familiar and sympathetic with long-term EU aims.

[danielf]

Yes, I did spot that. However, as it also says in that article Italy is no stranger that technocratic governments. So assuming they were not unduly pressured into this particular choice, and given that Monti his widespread support in parliament, it seems alright as a short-term fix.