The Italian Victory

Of the European governments who supported George Bush's war in Iraq, Italy was second only to the United Kingdom in backing up its support with real commitments of troops and supplies on the ground. This position did not endear Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the Italian people, and they showed their displeasure earlier this month at regional elections. Berlusconi's conservative coalition was massacred, loosing control of six of the eight regions they governed, and taking none from the center-left opposition. The losses were so massive that a party in Berlusconi's coalition withdrew its support for his government, forcing his resignation. Mr. Berlusconi is now trying to hobble together a new government, hoping to make it last until the next elections are due in 2006. However if he fails to do so, elections could be called in the coming months, with victory for the left assured. Either way Berlusconi's days of dominating the political agenda in Italy are over.

The fall of Berlusconi is a great victory for democracy and justice. Italy's richest man, Mr. Berlusconi bought his way into the premiership. As prime minister he controlled nearly all the media outlets in Italy, controlling the state-owned stations through his premiership and most of the privately owned ones through his own investments. He abused this massive power for political gain. He was often charged with corruption, and was only let off the hook because of a special law his government passed to prevent his case from going to trial. His support for Bush's failed foreign policy was unwavering. The first Italian troops to die in combat since the Second World War died over his decision to send them to Iraq. There was something chillingly autocratic about him. The Economist magazine even called to resign years ago, a suggestion he took as an invitation to sue the respected British newsweekly. He was in coalition with the descendant to Italy's fascist party.

All over Europe rightist and authoritarian governments are falling. Spain and Ukraine offer the latest examples. Another victory for the left in Italy and another crushing defeat for the right in Britain, two of the EU's "big four", would signal the beginning of the end for conservatism in Europe.