Italy 2013: The official thread

[Keystone Phil]

Silvio appreciates your support, Antonio!

[Antonio the Sixth]

BTW, the Europe constituency had only 9 lists running: PD, SEL, RC, Monti, PdL, M5S, FiD, some commie outfit nobody knows about, and a "local" Italians Abroad party. I would have liked more diversity, like in Italy at large.

[Andrea]

What's your experience of the campaign on the ground?

I live in a little municipality (7,000 residents) north of Milan and it has been very lackluster.
They barely put out posters so far. The free spaces for parties to put out electoral posters have been totally empty until few days ago. On Thursday PD sticked their posters. And on Friday Rivoluzione Civile added their material. Nothing from other lists.

And we also have regional elections. No "war of preferences" so far between council candidates. In the past there was usually materials from candidates asking for a personal vote (at regional level there aren't blocked lists like for MPs).

Nothing by post either. I guess they don't have much money and they are saving for a final push.

But lots of spots on youtube for Maroni. The last one is priceless....apparently people in Lombardy wake up early in the morning because they have to work and produce for the whole country.

[Franknburger]

BTW, the Europe constituency had only 9 lists running: PD, SEL, RC, Monti, PdL, M5S, FiD, some commie outfit nobody knows about, and a "local" Italians Abroad party. I would have liked more diversity, like in Italy at large.

You mean, like one man, one party?

But lots of spots on youtube for Maroni. The last one is priceless....apparently people in Lombardy wake up early in the morning because they have to work and produce for the whole country.

The last time I used an Italian product it was from Emilia Romana (Parma). Oh, I forgot about that wonderful Montepulciano d' Abruzzo. I alos remember a product from Torino I once used to drive. But what the hell are they working on in Lombardy, except for banking and fashion shows?

[Antonio the Sixth]

BTW, the Europe constituency had only 9 lists running: PD, SEL, RC, Monti, PdL, M5S, FiD, some commie outfit nobody knows about, and a "local" Italians Abroad party. I would have liked more diversity, like in Italy at large.

You mean, like one man, one party?

I just wanted to see the full slate of lists, yeah. All the choices from Fiamma Tricolore to some marxist-leninist outfits.

[ERvND]

I hear that the industry is supporting Monti, big time. I guess they were rather pro-Berlusconi in 2006.

Will this make a difference?

[Keystone Phil]

What's your experience of the campaign on the ground?

I live in a little municipality (7,000 residents) north of Milan and it has been very lackluster.
They barely put out posters so far. The free spaces for parties to put out electoral posters have been totally empty until few days ago. On Thursday PD sticked their posters. And on Friday Rivoluzione Civile added their material. Nothing from other lists.

And we also have regional elections. No "war of preferences" so far between council candidates. In the past there was usually materials from candidates asking for a personal vote (at regional level there aren't blocked lists like for MPs).

Nothing by post either. I guess they don't have much money and they are saving for a final push.

But lots of spots on youtube for Maroni. The last one is priceless....apparently people in Lombardy wake up early in the morning because they have to work and produce for the whole country.

The ground game in North/Central America consists of me, my friends and the Deputy's son/other confidants putting up signs in front of Italian clubs and Catholic Churches.

[Niemeyerite]

I'm going to Italy next weekend to campaign for Bersani in Lombardia and Lazio.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Some Monti supporters say they want to support the PD guy for Lombaria regionals, instead to the "official" centrist candidate. Monti is VERY pissed off.

[Keystone Phil]

Some Monti supporters say they want to support the PD guy for Lombaria regionals, instead to the "official" centrist candidate. Monti is VERY pissed off.

Sure. Reasonable people must be worried and don't want to run to risk of letting Maroni get in.

[RogueBeaver]

Tactical voting.

ERVND: No, because SB is talking fairy tales instead of actual, ya know, policies. He'd screw up the economy even worse if by some nightmare he got back in.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Some Monti supporters say they want to support the PD guy for Lombaria regionals, instead to the "official" centrist candidate. Monti is VERY pissed off.

Sure. Reasonable people must be worried and don't want to run to risk of letting Maroni get in.

Yeah, but Monti seemingly did not want "his" candidate (Albertini) to be sidelined, even though it's clear he can't win.

[Keystone Phil]

Can one of the Italians explain what goes into get out the vote efforts in these elections? Italy almost always has astronomical turnout in national elections. It just seems like a given. It might sound silly but if 80-85% of people are coming out regardless, is there any really serious effort to push your side to the polls or is there more of an emphasis in having these policy debates to win over the undecideds in the run up to the election?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Can one of the Italians explain what goes into get out the vote efforts in these elections? Italy almost always has astronomical turnout in national elections. It just seems like a given. It might sound silly but if 80-85% of people are coming out regardless, is there any really serious effort to push your side to the polls or is there more of an emphasis in having these policy debates to win over the undecideds in the run up to the election?

I have never heard about significant efforts by parties to turn out their voters, honestly. I know I don't live in Italy, but I highly doubt GOTV is a big deal there. Really, the US is the only Western country where there is such a focus in making sure people vote (which reflects even more poorly on your turnout levels).

[LastVoter]

Can one of the Italians explain what goes into get out the vote efforts in these elections? Italy almost always has astronomical turnout in national elections. It just seems like a given. It might sound silly but if 80-85% of people are coming out regardless, is there any really serious effort to push your side to the polls or is there more of an emphasis in having these policy debates to win over the undecideds in the run up to the election?

I have never heard about significant efforts by parties to turn out their voters, honestly. I know I don't live in Italy, but I highly doubt GOTV is a big deal there. Really, the US is the only Western country where there is such a focus in making sure people vote (which reflects even more poorly on your turnout levels).

Atlasia

[Andrea]

Can one of the Italians explain what goes into get out the vote efforts in these elections? Italy almost always has astronomical turnout in national elections. It just seems like a given. It might sound silly but if 80-85% of people are coming out regardless, is there any really serious effort to push your side to the polls or is there more of an emphasis in having these policy debates to win over the undecideds in the run up to the election?

I have never heard about significant efforts by parties to turn out their voters, honestly. I know I don't live in Italy, but I highly doubt GOTV is a big deal there. Really, the US is the only Western country where there is such a focus in making sure people vote (which reflects even more poorly on your turnout levels).

UK also have GOTV operations. In continental Europe we are much less focused on it.

[Andrea]

The last time I used an Italian product it was from Emilia Romana (Parma). Oh, I forgot about that wonderful Montepulciano d' Abruzzo. I alos remember a product from Torino I once used to drive. But what the hell are they working on in Lombardy, except for banking and fashion shows?

After a long thought, I come up with Panettoni!

[Keystone Phil]

We interrupt this exciting election for a Papal election.

I saw Italy's Grande Fratello put out an image with the caption "The next Pope" and Silvio's face photoshopped over Benedict's.

[freek]

We interrupt this exciting election for a Papal election.

I saw Italy's Grande Fratello put out an image with the caption "The next Pope" and Silvio's face photoshopped over Benedict's.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Can one of the Italians explain what goes into get out the vote efforts in these elections? Italy almost always has astronomical turnout in national elections. It just seems like a given. It might sound silly but if 80-85% of people are coming out regardless, is there any really serious effort to push your side to the polls or is there more of an emphasis in having these policy debates to win over the undecideds in the run up to the election?

I have never heard about significant efforts by parties to turn out their voters, honestly. I know I don't live in Italy, but I highly doubt GOTV is a big deal there. Really, the US is the only Western country where there is such a focus in making sure people vote (which reflects even more poorly on your turnout levels).

UK also have GOTV operations. In continental Europe we are much less focused on it.

The Social Democrats here in Sweden often have GOTV efforts in poor immigrant communities, but besides that it's basicly unheard off.

[Tender Branson]

There are no real GOTV efforts here as well.

Once in a while the parties send some goodies like pencils/lighters etc. with a party logo and an additional letter to young and first-time voters to encourage them to vote.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Doesn't Italy have mandatory voting?

[Tender Branson]

Theoretically yes, but this is not enforced.

[Franzl]

Anyway, just "voted"!

By "voted", I mean, my parents put a cross on the symbol I indicated and then put my ballot in the envelope... which of course looks nothing like really voting.

Is that really legal?

[Keystone Phil]

Italy has compulsory voting? That's news to me.