doctors certificate saves mayor

[adriatica]

living in Italy it would be almost impossible to avoid the Pescara mayors story on the news... in fact as Abruzzo hardy ever gets a mention on national news it sticks out even more...

the latest twist to the story is that the mayor who had resigned which would have led to an election in the spring has now withdrawn the resignation and is to remain as mayor.... despite being under investigation for various frauds and cheats with his mates...

the extraordinary reason ...and one which is a new and original twist on how to remain in a job whilst not doing anything is that he obtained a doctors certificate saying he was unfit to work... which means he could withdraw the resignation and carry on being mayor but not really....

again Italian politics leads the way in showing us all how to get around the system ... avoid imprisonment, impeachment , work and whatever and yet maintain a position with a healthy salary and an enviable pension...

meantime three other regions and their politicians are in close contact with the mayor/ex mayor.. or is it sick mayor to see if a visit to their local hospital/doctor would be worthwhile ... for once Abruzzo or at least Pescara seems to be leading the way

[Noma]

again Italian politics leads the way in showing us all how to get around the system ... avoid imprisonment, impeachment , work and whatever and yet maintain a position with a healthy salary and an enviable pension...

I think the state of Illinois in the US is giving Italy a run for their money.

[gradese]

A recent example of politicians having a get ot of jail free car was here in Friuli. Months ago, there was a report that some property developers in Udine had been arrested for bribing politicians with prostitutes. I assumed I would soon see a report on the arrest of the politicians involved (who have never been named), but there has been none, as far as I can see. Being a politician here seems to mean impunity, or at the least very lenient treatment.

[Noble]

.....and to add insult to injury, Italian parlimentary politicians are called onorevole.
Frequently they are far from honourable!

[brynithel3]

This not only applies to Italy. The only man ever to enter Westminister with honourable intent was Guy Fawkes.

Ciao

John

[Noble]

True John but interestingly Guy Fawkes and the Italian parlimentarians have something else in common. They are professed Catholics.

[Charles Phillips]

Now, you are not going to believe which publication wrote this!

"Mr Berlusconi needs to stake out the moral high ground. Thanks to the left, for perhaps the first time in his long and tempestuous political career he may now be able to do so"

It's part of an article charmingly entitled "Scuola di scandalo" in this week's Economist, (and it's even reporting the story about Saint Di Pietro who has a son with mani rather less than pulite).

Scandal smites the Italian opposition | Scuola di scandalo | The Economist