Thursday, May 01, 2008

What Is Wrong With Italy?

Why can't Italy get over its fascination with fascism? First, they reelect Silvio Berlusconi, who responds by saying, "We are the new Falange."

Now, there is this:

Italy's new parliament met for the first time yesterday with applause for Rome's mayor-elect, Gianni Alemanno, a day after followers celebrated his triumph with straight-arm salutes and fascist-era chants.

I don't know a whole lot about Italy, but why are they the one country in Europe that still has a large percentage of the population who like fascism. I know that France and Austria have had threatening right-wing politicians in recent years too, but the popularity and success of Italian fascists is really disturbing.