Italian Politics 2010. Much Ado About Nothing?

The year 20 lO marked the halfway point for Silvio Berlusconi's fourth government with me solidity of its elecroral mandate rhreatened on a number of occasions by strong clashes with rhe opposition, ultirnarely leading (O a "divorce" from Gianfranco Fini. The upheaval thar followed rhis rifr dominated the second half of me year. This volume exarnines not only rhis rifr but also rhe irnportanr political and social events of a period full of polemics and tensions, from rhe regional elections and me debate on fìscal federalism (O me state of me opposition parties. The political agenda was consumed by everyday matters, such as rhe scandals surrounding rhe Civil Prorecrion Service and rhe confrontations with the magistracy aver wiretapping, and appeared (O lack any strategie planning far me longer terrn. The reform of me education system was approved by a slim margin and stili saw violent protests from its opponents. Then, all of the governmem's actions were restricted by a return to austeriry policies. Through me confìdence vote of 14 December, me government retained its tenuous hold on power and left a sense of "rnuch ado abour nothing." The crisis was averted, bur possibly only postponed, and now there remains the unresolved, increasingly chronic problems of a country that is limping along without growth, more and more divided according (O geographical areas, social and professional categories, and, above all, is torn between generations.