Carlo Ungaro - openDemocracy (Page 2)

All quiet on the Italian front?

After the seemingly unending crisis that followed this February's elections, Italian politics seem to have finally found some stability. And yet, recent events may be the sign of greater trouble to come.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 19 Jun 2013

The Italian government's doomed quest for stability

When the only thing holding a coalition together is fear of the voters, instability is just around the corner.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 8 May 2013

Italy's political situation: hubris and nemesis in slow motion

The concept of a "grand coalition" in Italy is unlikely to work due to a history of distrust between the two main parties, and the emergence of Beppe Grillo's Five Stars Movement as a considerable political force.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 25 Apr 2013

Italy's 'Perfect storm'

More than a week after the elections, the situation in Italy is as hazy as ever, with no obvious way out of the political deadlock.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 7 Mar 2013

And the winner is... Reflections on post-electoral politics in Italy

With no clear winner emerging out of the election, a new era of uncertainty opens for Italian politics. How can the country get out of the post-electoral impasse?

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 28 Feb 2013

The Pope is out, long live the Pope!

Benedict XVI's papal resignation, the first in almost 600 years, took the world by surprise. It is now time for the Vatican game of cloak and dagger to start, and for us to ask: what kind of successor will the conclave elect?

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 19 Feb 2013

Consequences of military withdrawal on Afghan civil society

There will be a very large number of Afghans – primarily, but not only, women – who will be left to pay a heavy price for their “collaboration with the enemy”. This, above all, will be the inevitable legacy left by the hurried, unwise and poorly planned invasion of 2001.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 26 Apr 2012

Professor Monti's 100 days

In this new European era of technocratic majoritarianism, Italian voters are convinced by none of the political parties. They hope their new Prime Minister might fix things. And post-Monti? There are signs of a rallying around the 'Catholic vote'.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 21 Feb 2012

The December 2011 Bonn Conference: a farewell to Afghanistan?

Several new elements are added, almost daily, to worsen the complexity of the situation, and rumours of an imminent military coup in Islamabad do little to clarify matters.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 1 Feb 2012

After the fall of Berlusconi, who reaps the benefits?

The Catholic Church is seizing the advantage offered by the debacle suffered by almost all the Italian political parties, and therefore appears set to play a growing role in Italy’s political life, ending up as the principal, though perhaps occult, arbiter of future decisions and orientations.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 30 Nov 2011

Deepening Italian crisis: who reaps the benefits?

Italy's opposition has not gained in prestige due to Berlusconi's decline and the economic, political and social crisis afflicting the country. Into this political void the Roman Catholic church has stepped.

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 14 Oct 2011

The crisis in Italy: the Vatican and the end of the Berlusconi era

Silvio Berlusconi's position in Italy seems weaker then ever. The Vatican however has renewed its dogmatic stance towards Italian politics and will step into the vacuum, increasing its influence and demanding a price for its blessing of the party that will take over from Berlusconi

By Carlo Ungaro

/ 15 Aug 2011