The traditional left-right split has historic and symbolic value… [but] it does not highlight the real alliance that Italy needs — one that focuses on Europe and reforms.Mario Monti, former Italian Prime Minister • Announcing his intention to run in the upcoming election for his old job, which he resigned from last week, and which has recently become a prize sought by Monti’s politically disgraced predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi. Monti, ushered in in 2011 to impose some unpopular austerity measures during the Italian debt crisis, is expected to lead a coalition of centrists against Berlusconi, the sex-scandalized former right-wing PM and media magnate. source
I return to politics with despair and out of a sense of responsibility. I enter the race to win.The once (and future?) Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi • Revealing what many observers had suspected over recent months — he is, contrary to his initial insistences, eying a run to get his old job back. Berlusconi resigned in November 2011, following a scandal-plagued few years — remember Ruby the Heart Stealer, anyone? In October, he was sentenced for tax evasion by an Italian court, but due to the statute of limitations against the length of the charges (dating back to 2006), Berlusconi may well get off without serving a day of the four-year prison sentence he received. But dodging that, and becoming PM again? He’s banking on next year being “the year of Silvio Berlusconi,” and we’re enrapt as to whether he’s right. source
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