Italy Local Elections May 2012

[Antonio the Sixth]

Nobody is claiming that the right will completely disappear after the next election. However, nobody can deny that the traditional parties which once made up the "centrodestra" coalition as we know it (PdL and Lega) are enduring a major crisis. The didn't just suffer an electoral downturn, they have hit lows that nobody had ever imagine they could hit. This isn't going to magically go away in 10 months. It isn't to say they are necessarily "dead" or anything, but so far it's hard to see any road to victory they could have or even how they could pull out of this mess while they still have to back Monti and still seem to be intent at killing any proposed anti-corruption bill.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Well,for the moment the PdL voters switched to the M5S...

Dude, in a handful of towns in local elections which had the lowest turnout in memory. Come on.

And I was definitely reading the comments from both of you to mean that the center-right was going to be totally dead.

It probably isn't (though we never know... seeing how quickly things are changing, both sides could be totally dead a few months from now) but it will most certainly go through a painful and relatively long period of recomposition, after which what will be left of it won't nearly look like what it was in 2008.

Dismissing these elections are a local phenomenon is definitely missing the point.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Then we aren't really in disagreement on anything here.

By the way, I just read in the Financial Times that while Berlusconi insists he won't run for public office again, there are rumors he might comeback of Alfano can't lead the party to victory next year. Any truth to this?

If Berlusconi comes back, we can really start digging the PdL's grave. But I think even he isn't that deluded.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Then we aren't really in disagreement on anything here.

By the way, I just read in the Financial Times that while Berlusconi insists he won't run for public office again, there are rumors he might comeback of Alfano can't lead the party to victory next year. Any truth to this?

If Berlusconi comes back, we can really start digging the PdL's grave. But I think even he isn't that deluded.

We should have learned to never underestimate him...

Now, people have made it clear they are fed up with him. He's dead. This has been said several times, but this time he is really dead.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Latest poll from Ballarò (tv program)
PD 26,7% M5S 18,5% PDL 17,2% IDV 7,8% UDC 7,3% SEL 6,1%

Oh. My. God.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Latest poll from Ballarò (tv program)
PD 26,7% M5S 18,5% PDL 17,2% IDV 7,8% UDC 7,3% SEL 6,1%

Oh, please...

Does anyone seriously expect this to last if it's accurate?

I'm not "expecting" anything. I'm acknowledging and trying to convince myself this is not a dream.