Is discussing politics and religion sometimes inescapable? Yes, especially if you’re Italian. You can quote me on that.

I trust that you follow my posts because you are a curious and intelligent person. Don’t worry, movie reviews and food recipes will still be published here.

And, with great pleasure I have this special post for you today in response to politics in Italy (August 2019)!

No matter how one might try to discuss nothing that arouses emotions in people, there will always be times where things must be said. What a perfect time to analyze the news out of Italy this week. This is a brief essay about Italy’s re-organization of its own government. It has been swift, much like as we’ve witnessed here in the USA’s government beginning in 2016.

With desire for stability and at very least equality with all EU member states, Italy is transforming itself from a fascist past, as is Germany. Do its people (as a whole like any nation) desire to conform its political agendas to that of the Catholic Church, in Rome? Conversely, do they desire a more “secular” common thread, with the present tone often expressed in much of European media? Does the EU wish to appease the agenda of Vatican State? Or, does it (Italy) find a way to balance these sometimes divergent tendencies and differences around the same concerns?

It can’t be easy. Interesting things are happening in Italy today. Looking back to the 1940’s, it and Germany pursued fascist ambitions and complete supremacy, only to be defeated. Today, like Germany (and many more), in this way it is shedding its past. While others may guilt themselves into some sort of submission, Italy is home to the Vatican and a deep traditional and religious heritage.

This makes Vatican State’s agenda quite connected to the Italian government too I contend.

So who are its (Italy’s) heroes today? Those who thirst for independence from the EU? Or, those who wish to invest in towing the line? Or, does the answer sit somewhere in between?

Italy has welcomed fleeing emigrants to its shores in vast numbers, over many years. With a soft stance and welcoming heart, it became clear some years ago that this was not sustainable in perpetuity. Turkey and Greece are two other nations, who like many Italians understand this difficulty quite well.

Hence, in recent years, Italy has taken appropriate measures to stem mass migration. It has acted a ‘door-step’ for the entire EU. That is not entirely enriching. Perhaps that is why, now, the leadership is seemingly ready and eager to negotiate fair distributions of immigrant populations with other member states of the EU. That is sensible.

While the so-called “quota system” was vehemently shot down by some at first (in Europe), increasingly it is making some sense to more EU leaders. But, immigrants are to register themselves in the country where they first arrive within Europe; and, not use countries as gateways to other ones. That is my understanding of the law.

This month of August 2019, has been a turning point for Italy. Clearly, the right-leaning (some call them “far-right”) political party leadership has done its part to fight influx of black market activity and criminal business ( see https://news.yahoo.com/italian-minister-salvini-closes-migrant-141630238.html ) . Comparatively liberal political leaders have taken a more “dove”-like tone and policy, so as not to upset Rome nor certain influential persons of power in the EU.

Why? This can be partly explained by Italy’s guilt over its former fascist self. Deep in the Italian psyche, is a character that is modeled after generosity for the traveler, an open heart, and a dolce vita. That’s not a weakness, but, it has invited unrestrained tourism and mass migration that many as I would willfully admit.

So, where is Italy seemingly headed today, with its heavy burdens? That is a question that many would like to answer. According to Wikipedia.org’s page containing the biography of current Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, “On 27 May, Conte renounced his office due to contrasts between Salvini and President Mattarella.” That is at heart of an issue.

What is the significance about that? Well, after just shy of one year, there were problems within the representational government. One leaves, one returns, another leaves, hold snap elections… don’t, hold coalition talks… don’t. We’ve observed this in Germany as well. So too in Spain, Greece, and elsewhere. It all gets quite difficult in fostering stability. And, much of the Italian populous is skeptical that the right thing is being done – so says Euronews. But, it’s all necessary for positive changes.

The returning Prime Minister Conte, (seemingly) appears to be one to work well with current President Mattarella, or perhaps better able, unlike Salvini (whose agendas and actions against uncontrolled migrations are not prized by all the other European leaders). Is it hypocrisy to punish the leaders who take a hard line stance on massive immigration, while stating elsewhere that “yes indeed… something must be done about excessive mass migrations into the EU”?

Perhaps that is why to Mr. Salvini, it is allegedly tempting to leave the EU (Wikipedia) all together. Perhaps he admits that it is a “pipe dream” or a bluff. Can the EU withstand more member state departures from its union of nations? I would presume the answer to that, to be a resounding “no”. This is Mr. Salvini’s dilemma. But, to his credit also, he would apparently rather not seek compromise on border safety; and not let go of reduction in crimes for the welfare of his country.

Now that he has retracted from leadership, we can understand why he has done so. Notably, this past week, Italian President Mattarella agreed to an unlikely union of political factions; factions which at one time were agreed to by Salvini as well (Wikipedia) (perhaps reluctantly; perhaps not). To refrain from not delving too deeply into this shuffling, it is significant to observe that both Conte and Salvini wished to institute economics leadership through the same man: long-standing Republican (Paola Savona). And, in both instances, the appointment was turned down by President Mattarella [according to Wikipedia] [who is a recently former member of the PD party (Wikipedia) (Mattarella), but, only for one year (Wikipedia)]. According to the same source, Mr. Conte was actually not quoted as having sought Paola Savona’s appointment outright – however “backed down when Savona’s appointment to rule with him (Conte), was vetoed by the President.” It is he also (President Mattarella), who sought these party coalitions (Wikipedia) between “unlikely bed-fellows”- according to Italian News this past week. So, with Prime Minister Conte back in his post today, can he steer his ship in the right direction? Or ,will Italy pull course in opposite directions while smiling… as though it were all a cheerful journey? We’ll have to observe.

The point is, that much like in recent America, the left and right in Italy (and in Europe), are battling quite severely as to how best address migrant crises and crime issues. And, through the lens of Italian politics we can observe the challenges all through the EU as well… in analyzing the current government there. With, countries having already disagreed consistently over issues regarding sovereignty and EU unity, as if the two virtues cannot co-exist. It’s not unlike America’s past and present, with regard to our individual states and the union here.

Italy is a member state of the EU; therefore, secession is a highly contested ambition… even if that were disregarded as being a mere fantasy. Similarly here in the USA, California state seriously considered plans to divide into several territories and/or secede.

As a side-note, I happened to come across the term (which I had never heard of): “anti-German”. If you look at the Wikipedia page for President Mattarella, you will find this quote: “However, on 27 May, Conte renounced his mandate, due to conflicts between Salvini and Mattarella. Salvini had proposed university professor Paolo Savona as Finance Minister, but Mattarella strongly opposed the appointment, considering Savona too Eurosceptic and anti-German.[58] In his speech after Conte’s resignation, Mattarella declared that the two parties wanted to bring Italy out of the Eurozone and that, as the guarantor of the Italian Constitution and the country’s interest and stability, he could not allow this. Mattarella subsequently gave economist Carlo Cottarelli the presidential mandate to form a new government[59][60][61].”

As I cannot confirm nor deny what President Mattarella is quoted as having said as though I were on “the beat” in Italy, it is to be taken seriously that there are people in Italy who may wish to depart from the EU. Though, I seriously doubt that to materialize. It seems to be hyperbole. But, perhaps that was on course.

If you go to Wikipedia’s page for “anti-German”, you’ll find an interesting photo of people who are demonstrating in Germany. Their banner advocated for communism, as you can see in the image of those protestors on that website. And Savona is linked to “Euro-skepticism” and “anti-German”. What? Paola Savona is a communist sympathizer?! I don’t know how President Mattarella could be making that assertion in all sincerity and honesty. This linkage is quoted by Wikipedia’s page. Nor would that be true of Mr. Salvini in my informed observation. But, this linkage of the men to “anti-German” ideology and “Euro-skepticism”, is quoted on the Wikipedia profile webpage!

So, what is the “anti-German” sentiment? It warrants your attention. Well, if your read about this group on the Wikipedia site, you’ll see that it is defined as being rather closely aligned with republican fondness for sovereignty, to a brief point. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Germans_(political_current)]. The photo however shows members who are described as being “anti-nationalist” – toward their native Germany. It is a small group, though its ideology is perhaps growing among some European countries. Especially in attacking republican thought. Most blatantly, it is supportive of communism! In traditional concepts and definition of fascism, supporting communism is support for nationalist and fascist tendency of the worst kind! It simply does not add up with Italy’s Savona – and his truthful political leanings, as written about him. This puts the assertion about Savona’s linkage to the same ideology as that group’s (Wikipedia quoting the Italian President), into question. Furthermore, Mr. Salvini also would not seek to appoint such a man, if he were truly communist.

If Republican Savona of Italy were in any way like them in terms of ideology, then he would be a contradiction on that point, to being “far right”. So, why has Mattarella (quoted as having refused Savona) associated the Republican leaning Savona with “anti-Germans”? Well, I don’t really know -except in connection with the similarities that are consistent with republican thought. And, those appear to be disturbing enough to the President (according to Wikipedia’s quote of his remarks). However, part of the answer could be evident in the contradiction that exists within the “anti-German” movement. Namely, pro-communist and anti ethnic-hatred. For someone (not Savona), who might be: 1. critical of capitalism 2. hyper sensitive to national pride 3. perhaps weak on border security or 4. opposed to anti-semitism, then as the “anti-German” group described indicates: they would qualify for membership to the oddly named “anti-German” group. The only evident likeness that I can observe from these texts describing link between Mr. Savona and the “anti-German” group, would be their agreement in supporting Israel and objecting to all forms of anti-semitism. So, why was Mr. Savona passed over? Likely for the same reasons that nationalism in the EU has become very unpopular to some leaders in the EU. It’s a hyper-sensitivity and a rewriting of the truthful fascism that belongs to history. That is not to say that fascism does not exist in other circles (ie. radical right), rather it is to say also that communism is still the fascism of today in which all would become serfs to unchecked fascist power of a communist state. Leaders of stable communist regimes wold disagree with me; but I live in a republican state.

This brings my argument full circle, to the assertion that national pride is increasingly becoming associated with a fascist identity. Far be it from true. National cultural identity within a representational union, is the very strength of unity. It celebrates distinction within union. That’s the model which the United States has. And, in order to keep communism at bay, national strength is an essential ingredient.