The Berlusconi show is back in town folks, and with it comes the whole fucking circus. Particularly the man tipped to be Italy’s new deputy Prime Minister – Roberto Calderoli. The leader of the anti-immigration Northern-League party.
Foreign Policy does a great job of describing this new player on the European political field:
Italy’s new deputy prime minister is likely to be Roberto Calderoli, a guy who proudly wears T-shirts emblazoned with the Danish Mohammed cartoons, promoted a “pig day” protest in a Muslim neighborhood, and, after the Italian team’s World Cup victory, dismissed their French opponents as “negroes, communists and Muslims.”
He makes Winston Peters and Peter Brown look positively welcoming. And thats not all that Berlusconi has been up to. He has promoted Mara Cafagna to be the minister of gender equality. Her previous work experience involves topless dancing, and being the former ‘Miss Italy’. While im sure that’s no reflection on her governing ability, it is interesting to note that her and Berlusconi have a history. With him offering to marry her at a banquet and then reminding her of the ancient medieval tradition of the Lord of the Manor (presumably him) having the right to deflower any virgin on his property (presumably her). Riveting stuff. Oh, and he has also been quoted as stating that “right wing women are more attractive”.
Bob Clarkson eat your heart out.
[ssba]