October 31, 2011
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Highschool drama in Europe’s Political High League By Rebecca Reuter Let me introduce you to two of the most powerful politicians in Europe right now: Mrs Angela Merkel, Germany's current Federal Chancellor and Mr Silvio Berlusconi Italy's current prime minister. These two politicians have gotten along well for the past few years, just as far someone can get along with Berlusconi anyways. He's famous for his heroic speeches a la 'Cavaliere Italiano', his on and off stories with Italy's high class strippers, prostitutes including underage girls and of course his bright smile, his way of ignoring the immense crisis in the country that he's supposed to be leading. People don't find jobs anymore, the crime rate is constantly increasing, immigrants from North Africa keep in coming in, not to mention the economic crisis that is smashing Southern Europe and the world in general. You'd think that Berlusconi would be kissing up to Germany, considering it being one of the few countries that isn't completely hopeless and is helping out Greece and others to prevent their economy to crash forever. Italy needs Germany. You'd hope Berlusconi would act like a responsible prime minister. But no. This time, according to "Il Fatto Quotidiano", Berlusconi started drama over a phone call, to a certain someone that is unknown yet, but the statement on the minister's behalf is just as clear as Italy's bank account. Merkel was according to him a "cuolona inchiavabile", which means very nicely translated "a useless, fat behind". It also means that Berlusconi really doesn't care if Italy crashes into economic inferno and won't have anyone to help out.
Few other Italian politicians have stated that they are hoping that this story will make Berlusconi want to retire once and for all, but considering that the position as prime minister is saving him from jail, it's not a very realistic thing to hope. Merkel hasn't given a statement about the whole story just yet, if that is a good or a really bad sign is open for discussion, one can only hope that she ignores Berlusconi's comment. On the minister's behalf you could say that no one would expect the world to listen to their personal phone calls and it is in fact definite violation of privacy, on the other hand you shouldn't be calling anyone "a useless, fat behind" whoever you are. Either way this man might have had just had a bad day and forgot over a intimate phone call that he's prime minister of a country. Maybe it was just one of those days. One thing is for sure though. Someone needs to clear out the Italian parliament for good so this High school drama can end, followed by graduation and then Italy can finally move on, grow and become the power that it's always been.