Italy 2013: The official thread

[Andrea]

Ok, PD managed to do a mess of this too.

It will be a secret vote. So you can whip as much as you can, but you will never know who voted who.

[Keystone Phil]

Marini was the Senate President when Prodi's government collapsed, right? I remember him flipping out when the center-right members started literally popping bottles in celebration.

[Antonio the Sixth]

PD = braindead f**ktards.

[Antonio the Sixth]

SEL will support Rodotà (who will be the M5S candidate). At least someone has a brain in the Italian left.

[RogueBeaver]

He'll still win on the first ballot though. Takes office on May 15, right? But first, the PD general council. I hope Renzi's ready.

[Antonio the Sixth]

He'll still win on the first ballot though. Takes office on May 15, right? But first, the PD general council. I hope Renzi's ready.

I still hold out hope that enough PD backbenchers will revolt.

[RogueBeaver]

I don't know about regional electors, but IBC caucus is 468, PdL 242. The defections mean it'll go to a fourth ballot: 60-odd Renziani, 44 SEL. Of course some could get cold feet later, but given that it's a secret ballot... either way Marini is elected a few days later.

[palandio]

Some say that even the ultra-Bersanian Young Turks (Fassina etc.) might come out against Marini.
Vendola, Renzi, Fassina all on one side... The Italian center-left never fails to amuse me.

-- Irony on -- Probably it's only a Macchiavellian trick by Bersani/D'Alema
1) to make the PD's left-wing party base support rightist Renzi, the only one who can maybe win the general election
2) at the same time give the Young Turks a chance to distance themselves from Bersani.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I don't know about regional electors, but IBC caucus is 468, PdL 242. The defections mean it'll go to a fourth ballot: 60-odd Renziani, 44 SEL. Of course some could get cold feet later, but given that it's a secret ballot... either way Marini is elected a few days later.

Precisely because it's a secret ballot, MPs could vote without pressures from the party establishment... And if they can prevent a 2/3 majority in the first ballot, maybe that will encourage the PD to reconsider its position.

I know it would be a miracle, but you never know...

[Andrea]

Marini was the Senate President when Prodi's government collapsed, right? I remember him flipping out when the center-right members started literally popping bottles in celebration.

In a truly classy fashion, they were eating mortadella. Literally.

[Keystone Phil]

What's the problem with Marini? Just an old school machine hack?

Any word on how Lega Nord clowns will vote? In the past, they've bucked the coalition and voted for Bossi. Will they fall in like this time or back one of their stooges? I guess it won't be Bossi these days...

[Keystone Phil]

Marini was the Senate President when Prodi's government collapsed, right? I remember him flipping out when the center-right members started literally popping bottles in celebration.

In a truly classy fashion, they were eating mortadella. Literally.

Oh, I know. Who wouldn't love Nino Strano?

[RogueBeaver]

What's the problem with Marini? Just an old school machine hack?

Any word on how Lega Nord clowns will vote? In the past, they've bucked the coalition and voted for Bossi. Will they fall in like this time or back one of their stooges? I guess it won't be Bossi these days...

Berlusconi said Lega will vote for Marini. IIRC the problem was that he lost his seat in February. Personally I care more about the premiership than the presidency.

[RogueBeaver]

PD caucus vote: 222 Yes, 90 No, 21 Abstain, 90 absent. #clownparty

[Antonio the Sixth]

PD caucus vote: 222 Yes, 90 No, 21 Abstain, 90 absent. #clownparty

[jaichind]

Berlusconi Maintains Lead On Bersani, IPR Poll Shows
By Marco Bertacche
April 16 (Bloomberg) --

Former PM Berlusconi’s coalition leads PD leader Bersani’s bloc 31.7% to 29.5%, IPR poll for TG3 shows. Beppe Grillo’s party at 23%, while Monti’s bloc is at 8.3%: poll

Bonino leads with 32% as favorite candidate for Italy presidency, Rodota 18%, television journalist Gabanelli 15%, Amato 7%, Prodi 6%: poll
NOTE: IPR conducted poll April 16 on 1,000 interviews

[Keystone Phil]

Monti still polling that "high?" He isn't crazy enough to run again, right?

[RodPresident]

I think that PD wouldn't support Bonino because Radical's posture in election. It will be a very fun election.

[Keystone Phil]

I'll be physically ill if that woman becomes president.

[jaichind]

Breaking: Marini Doesn’t Have Votes for Italian Presidency, Tally Shows.  Euro drops.

[Keystone Phil]

Tally:

Marini    520
Rodotà   340
Chiamparino    41
Prodi       14
Bonino    13
D'Alema  12

Next vote expected in the evening.

[Keystone Phil]

If I'm reading correctly, sources are saying the next Parliamentary election will be July 7th.

[RogueBeaver]

If I'm reading correctly, sources are saying the next Parliamentary election will be July 7th.

PD needs to switch NOW. Question is how. Do any Italians know how the PD leadership mechanisms work? They have a general council in a few weeks but I'm sure Bersani can round up enough of his hacks...

[RogueBeaver]

Bersani and Renzi will meet today in Rome, meanwhile looks like the 2nd presidential round will be a joke with many MPs casting blank votes rather than for Marini.

Phil: What I read is that it's a possibility, nothing certain.

[RogueBeaver]

Second ballot flops, onto the third.