Between PD and Beppe, it's not quite cricket

Published on 15 July 2009 at 14:45

Unlike the real Pinocchio, Italy's Democratic Party (PD) should stop listening to its “Grillo” (Italian for a cricket), writes Il Sole 24 Ore. Beppe Grillo, a popular comedian once banned from Italian TV in the 80's for satirizing premier Benito Craxi's appetite for bribes, and whose career has recently been resurrected on the back a politically charged blog that has given rise to a grassroots protest movement, has tried to obtain a PD party card in order to run for the post of general secretary. Twice blackballed, first for bureaucratic reasons, then for being considered "hostile" to the PD, the verdict has provoked an outburst of criticism from all sides, and the issue seems bound to bring wreak havoc in the run-up to the party's congress.

"A democracy cannot work properly without an authoritative government and a mature opposition", summarizes Il Sole. "PD was born dreaming of becoming the modern liberal party that is standard elsewhere, but is now hypnotized by Berlusconi's hegemony and unable to deal with radicals. If it doesn't learn how, not even the Blue Fairy (another Pinocchio character) will be able to turn it into a ruling party."

Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic