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Scandals Rain on Berlusconi's Party

Wall Street Journal Original article ›

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Polls by Renato Mannheimer show popular support for the People of Freedom party of Mr. Berlusconi, which won 37% of the vote in 2008, is now down to 17% This comes after a series of corruption scandals. The most recent involves embezzlement of 1.7 million dollars by a politician from the Rome-Lazio regional government. New parties are being formed which are drawing increasing support. The Five Star Movement of Beppe Grillo, a former comedian, which opposes being in the eurozone and calls it a "noose" for Italy shows 18% support, according to a poll by the SWG agency. In that poll the Italy of Values party had 6% support, and the Left Ecology party 6%. Mannheimer says only one third of Italian voters are now in favor of the large established parties, indicating a big change is underway in Italian politics. The new parties are also critical of prime minister Monti's policies. This happens just as political and business leaders in Italy are calling for Monti to run for office to continue policy changes he has made to improve Italy's competitiveness and lead to economic recovery. Monti, a former EU Commissioner, was appointed as prime minister after pressure from German chancellor Merkel and the EU led to a loss of parliamentary support for Mr Berlusconi with key members of his own party defecting. After passing legislation for changes to Italian labor laws and making other shanges to improve Italy's competitiveness since taking office in November 2011, Monti is now seen in Italy, and outside Italy in EU circles, as the only person who can lead Italy out of the economic crisis; even though his reforms and austerity measures have not proved popular.

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Elsa Fornero says Italy is not a place where people follow the rules, and there is a strong tendency to rig the system to tweak it in different places to benefit different groups. The last 10 goverments have failed to tackle the Workers Law put in place after the Second World War, which is out of place in today's economy. Which is why the changes she has made are so significant for Italy to regain its competitiveness and its potential, and modernize its economy. This is also one of the major positive outcomes of the current eurozone crisis. Spain has launched a similiar effort. It involves a culture change which would increase productivity and investment. It also shows that while the Merkel Christian Democrats may need to adjust the austeity programs to promote growth, some of the structural changes pushed in Europe including the formation of the Monti government are finally on the right track.

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