James Walston
James Walston
James Walstonwas a professor of international relations at The American University of Rome, specialising in Italian politics and modern history. He was chair of the AUR's Department of International Relations from 2002 to 2008. In 2008 he started the Center for Research on Racism in Italy together with Clough Marinaro. In 1997, he became the first EU citizen to stand for election to the Rome City Council...
attention deflect desperate prominent
Berlusconi is desperate and he's latching on to what he can to deflect attention away from the economy; it's the most prominent chink in the armor. That's why he's jumped on the wiretapping scandals.
five fulfill italians worse
Enough Italians feel worse off than they did five years ago. He didn't fulfill his promises.
both candidates coming cut money neither promises
Both candidates have made big promises to cut taxes. But neither has said where the money is coming from or how they'll cut the debt.
change electronic goal greater limits remove wealth
Berlusconi's goal is to change the equal-access law. If he can remove the limits on the electronic media, he can use his much greater wealth to his advantage.
continue fight government problem tough
Berlusconi put up a fight and he'll continue to be a problem for the new government. His will be a tough opposition.
cheerful grin himself personal provoke saying selling walk
When you have someone selling himself so vigorously, you will provoke a reaction, even personal animosity. If all you see when you walk around is someone's cheerful grin saying everything is really ok, well, you're going to get annoyed.
biggest deal debt fear italian order overcome problems public
The biggest problems are public debt and the competitiveness of Italian goods. But in order to deal with those, he has to overcome the fear of being fired. If he is lucky, and if he is clever, he will be able to do something.
delay last trying
It is the last gasp of someone trying to do anything he can to delay the end.
begin hits ship
It's another two hits on a ship that is not very seaworthy to begin with.
deal easy governor invent rid rules ways
There are no easy rules to get rid of the governor so they are having to invent ways to deal with it.
address problems
He will go some way to address the problems, but he will not be radical.
clinging hold perhaps tenacity
He will go, but he'll go screaming. He can perhaps hold a little longer. He is clinging with such tenacity it's staggering.
economics economy-and-economics five gotten past process worse
All the economics have gotten worse in the past five years. The process is going to be very painful.
government miracle run
It's going to take a miracle for Berlusconi to win. The government has run out of steam.