Fini v Berlusconi

[Noble]

Having just read this article I found it certainly lends food for thought. I have always regarded the man as dangerous and very smart. He has a huge following in our area of Umbria.
Gianfranco Fini: The best leader the Italian left never had - Europe, World - The Independent

[Ghianda]

Both of the men in question are dangerous and smart.

As a newcomer here I really do wish I could understand the Italian psychi (sp?) better than I do.

[Charles Phillips]

Hmm. Interesting to read this Popham piece (a journo who does not inspire the least bit of respect from me). So - what is he saying here (as if it mattered)?

Is he saying that Fini (who patently obviously has that rare quality in politicians, aka a brain) is a 'good thing' or a wolf in sheeps' clothing? I dunno - I've read the article through twice, and I still dunno what il Peter wants "us" (lefty leaning Indy readers) to believe. But I suppose it is important (and probably a first in English commentary on Italian politics) that the philosophical Fini is not tarred with the same brush as the populist Bossi.

I don't think Ghianda should seek to understand the Italian psyche - that has little to do with Italian politics. Understanding Italian politics (even for Italian politicians) is not a possibility, and that is exactly what Fini has understood, and has started to express, openly. He has done (and I'm convinced by him - but probably I'm wrong) a more genuine volte face than Blair ever did with his New Labour renouncing socialism. Fini has renounced what the European and Italian left insisted was his 'fascist' brand - it is arguable whether that was ever anywhere near the truth - but only now are commentators starting to say - just maybe he means it.

He is (importantly in my opinion) also a fervent secularist: of course this means the Vatican and the ex DC are scared sh*tless. Whether, with his recently reported (though not a recent conversion) challenging comments, he can garner votes from the understandably extremely cynical Italian voters remains to be seen. Maybe the Italian psyche translates as voting for male pole-dancers, so maybe Ghianda is on the right track after all!

[Noma]

Fini has renounced what the European and Italian left insisted was his 'fascist' brand - it is arguable whether that was ever anywhere near the truth

True, it can be argued, but Fini himself acknowledges it, saying he's changed his mind since 1994 when he declared Mussolini the greatest statesman of the 20th century. The question is, has he changed his heart?

Here's the Facist lineage he's changed his mind from:

— The Movimento Sociale Italiano (MSI) was founded in 1946 by supporters of Benito Mussolini. It contested its first elections in 1948 and won six seats in the Chamber of Deputies
— From the 1950s to the early 1970s it averaged about 25 deputies
— In 1960, when the MSI formed part of a parliamentary majority, protest riots led to the fall of the Christian Democratic Government
— In 1983 the party gained 42 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and four years later Gianfranco Fini was elected as its leader
— In 1994 it refashioned itself as the Alleanza Nazionale and joined forces with two centre-right parties. The alliance swept to power in elections that year, capturing 13.5 per cent of the vote and gaining six Cabinet posts
— Though the governing coalition was short-lived, the Alleanza Nazionale returned to government in 2001 when Fini was appointed Deputy Prime Minister

Popolo della Liberta unites Berlusconi and Alleanza Nazionale - Times Online

[DavidUno]

So...umm...what does it all mean? Should I run for Mayor?

Justgiving - ITALY Magazine Abruzzo Earthquake Appeal

[Noma]

It means if you run for Mayor, you'll need to run on the Pdl ticket, as Alleanza Nazionale and it's antecedent, Partito Nazionale Fascista have been re-branded for better consumer acceptance.