Italy’s Elections, Austerity, and the European Social Model
on OpenDemocracy – 11 May 2012
On the front page of OpenDemocracy today, Andrea Teti reflects on the results of Italy’s local elections, and the trends which emerged loud and clear from Europe’s electoral ‘Super Sunday’, including parliamentary elections in Greece, the presidential run-off in France, Land elections in Germany, and recent local polls in the UK. The message that seems to emanate from local elections in Italy as well as the other European polls of the last weekend is a resounding mistrust in and repudiation of ruling politicians, their methods, and their policies – austerity first and foremost. Traditional parties should beware the costs of ignoring it.