With all domestic votes from Italy's election counted, Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left bloc won the lower house vote but has failed to secure a majority in the Senate. Control of both houses is needed to govern. A protest movement led by comedian Beppe Grillo won 25%, but the centrist bloc led by current Prime Minister Mario Monti came a poor fourth, with about 10%.
The Senate is split between left and right, causing more anxiety in the eurozone. There may be an attempt to form a wider coalition to govern the country but it is unlikely to survive.
The election has come at a pressing time for not only the eurozone but Italy itself. They are amid a deep recession and tough austerity measures.
The rest of the EU are worried that a stable government cannot be formed from the results and that another election will be in needed within months. This could in turn lead to paralysis for the country's economy like seen in Greece. Greece itself has a wide range of elected political parties, from far-right Greek nationalists to Marxist-Leninist communists. This growing split in the electorate's ideology hasn't been seen in Europe for years. With Europe in such a weak state, many voters are turning to more extreme policies to provide solutions to their country's problems. With trying times, radical action is sometimes needed...political history can show us that.
In France, the Constitutional Council rejected a 75 per cent upper income tax rate to be introduced in 2013 in a setback to newly elected Socialist President François Hollande’s push to make the rich contribute more to cutting the public deficit. The fact that politicians are proposing such drastic measures is refreshing to see, especially when that's what their supporters want. With mass rallies and populations expecting a real change, the time for the people of Europe to have their say is upon us!
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Saturday 9 February 2013
Valentine's Day
As you all know today is Valentine's Day. This is the second year running I have been single on this day but that is not the reason why I am cynical about this holiday. Even when I have been in relationships, I have ever been keen to celebrate. I feel the whole day has become materialistic and over the top. Who do I blame for this...yes, America, you. You shouldn't feel like you have to spend money to be romantic and show your love how much you care for them. After all, every day with your partner should be a special one.
Valentine's Day dates back to pagan and Roman times but some say was first romanticised by Chaucer.
The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences.
Poets have been writing Valentines and love poems for centuries. One of my favourites is A Red Red Rose by Robert Burns:
Maybe your Valentine this year would appreciate a heartfelt handwritten poem over a box of chocolates or flowers. Every woman loves a true gentleman and romantic gesture.
I have to end this blog on a comical note however, as I always think of this Simpson's episode on Valentines:
Valentine's Day dates back to pagan and Roman times but some say was first romanticised by Chaucer.
The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences.
At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...
Poets have been writing Valentines and love poems for centuries. One of my favourites is A Red Red Rose by Robert Burns:
O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.
Maybe your Valentine this year would appreciate a heartfelt handwritten poem over a box of chocolates or flowers. Every woman loves a true gentleman and romantic gesture.
I have to end this blog on a comical note however, as I always think of this Simpson's episode on Valentines:
Aw poor Ralph!
You could also send this card if your Valentine is anything like me
Friday 1 February 2013
The Syrian Conflict
In a week that saw over a hundred dead men pulled from the Alpecco river, President Obama announcing $155 million in aid to the Syrian rebels, and possible retaliation against Israeli air strikes, the conflict in Syria was again all over the news with no real end in sight.
Syria has an interesting history with countless conquests and re-conquests, empires rising and falling, and people flourishing and vanishing. No wonder it is so hard to understand what exactly is best for the Syrian people when the people themselves are divided and the West, Russia and the Middle-East all have some stake in the country.
I came across a very good article by Malik Al-Abdeh about his understanding of the Syrian revolution. Check it out: http://syriaintransition.com/2012/03/01/how-i-understand-the-syrian-revolution/
Malik is an excellent independent journalist and his blog aims to offer as true a picture as possible of what is happening in Syria and why.
Whatever your opinion is of what is occurring in Syria, I think you have to remove yourself from your or our Western perspective. Whether military intervention will happen, I don't know, and whether or not it is the right choice doesn't matter as, the forces causing it would do it regardless. I just hope the death toll of civilians will not increase and that some sort of stability will transpire so that a peaceful outcome will result in democracy and human rights for the whole Syrian population.
Syria has an interesting history with countless conquests and re-conquests, empires rising and falling, and people flourishing and vanishing. No wonder it is so hard to understand what exactly is best for the Syrian people when the people themselves are divided and the West, Russia and the Middle-East all have some stake in the country.
I came across a very good article by Malik Al-Abdeh about his understanding of the Syrian revolution. Check it out: http://syriaintransition.com/2012/03/01/how-i-understand-the-syrian-revolution/
Malik is an excellent independent journalist and his blog aims to offer as true a picture as possible of what is happening in Syria and why.
Whatever your opinion is of what is occurring in Syria, I think you have to remove yourself from your or our Western perspective. Whether military intervention will happen, I don't know, and whether or not it is the right choice doesn't matter as, the forces causing it would do it regardless. I just hope the death toll of civilians will not increase and that some sort of stability will transpire so that a peaceful outcome will result in democracy and human rights for the whole Syrian population.
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