Capo Boi

Forget the UK press, the Italian media (opinion poll less) no need to buy the Economist or Telegraph (yes Italy is still in the Euro) or even consult with other forums. When in doubt go with the world's second oldest profession (well quasi money lending...you always give it back) and the good old East End bookmakers have Bersani a shoe in. I won't be participating but Hollande and Sarkozy were at similar levels......

Bersani 1 / 5 on
Berlusconi 7 / 1
Alfano 7 / 1
Monti 10 / 1
Barca 25 / 1
Grillo 50 / 1

Garbatellamike

That will be because he is a shoe in although he may not get control of the Senate and therefore be able to "Govern" or what passes for govern here!

Capo Boi

Go on Garbatellamike, have a punt on Silvio.....you know you want to.

Garbatellamike

let me think about it I have thought about it No

Capo Boi

Think of it as a hedge then.

Garbatellamike

OK I'm off to the bookies then!

MarkRD

Alfano?? God forbid! .. oh yes but that's because Berlu wants to be Minister for the Economy, right?

Fabrizio Barca? I had to google him ... one of Monti's men I presume.

Anyway I fancy a flutter ... how is it done?

Garbatellamike

Yes he is an economist brought in by Monti as a technocrat minister - supposedly politically idependent but thought to be a closet leftist in reality.
according to google he has an MPhil in economics from Cambridge, which to me makes him highly suspect

ononno

Think Berlusco' may just make it.
On another point; don't know what it's like where you all live, but round here those awful unsightly electoral hoardings all looking very naked and forlorn. Very few posters going up; even the politicians must be feeling the squeeze. Mind you there would be no point since you can't 'choose' any particular candidate.
ciao for now,
'o nonno

MarkRD

Yes Inoticed a lack of the usual posters .. maybe the weather. Elections are usually held in the spring-time, not in the bleak mid-winter, very unItalian .
They were even saying this morning about how the snow might put people off going to vote .. any excuse!

I received a letter from the PD asking me to vote for them ... um...well if I had the right to Mr Bersani I might just think about it ..
Fail!

Garbatellamike

Nope loads of political posters defacing la Città Eterna

Lorna at Vicenza

I received a letter and a big 4 page booklet yesterday from Berlusco.
Not read any of it but I did notice that he has an awful signature.

MarkRD

Was that the Resituzione IMU thing? if I get one I'm returning to sender with a nasty message!
I saw on the news that people were queuing up for forms for reclaiming their IMU .. very sad.

Lorna at Vicenza

It's not the envelope that I have seen floating about on facebook with the IMU message written on the envelope itself.

Mine's a big, square, white envelope. Big enough to contain the whole booklet. IMU is probably mentioned in it no doubt.

Perhaps I should reseal the whole lot and return to sender.

MarkRD

Yes, I would .. maybe include a little something inside...