As of now, only Romano Prodi discussed his projects (if I understand correctly, he did it with an interview on the privately-owned Radio24, that used to be a direct emanation of IlSole24Ore, the italian "Wall Street Journal"... but I've been out of italy for a while so I could be wrong). He explicitly said that he wants to increase taxation of financial earnings and real estate, but only for the top earner (e.g. owners of two or three houses wouldn't be touched). That's a bold move, and he really was talking like the elections were already won, because these times you don't win elections promising more taxation, especially not in italy.
From the right, there is no talking of any real issues whatsoever; they only had a big fuss about marijuana. Gianfranco Fini, the centre-right coalition second-in-command and leader of the ex-fascist party Alleanza Nazionale, admitted he used it when he was a teenager, right after approving a more restrictive law on the subject. Then his party proceeded to whitewash the revelation by accusing everyone else of hypocrisy ("at least he admitted it, not like them !"), and the "debate" obviously degenerated in writing down lists of "who's tried what"...
Everything else is just the usual show by Mr.B, because, as he very well knows, the more people talk about him, the more they get used to his horrendous behaviour and end up voting him...
Some of its points are heatedly debated by the centre parties of the coalition such as the PACS proposal for gay couples, similar to the French solution. The modalities of getting out of Iraq are also a matter of controversy among member parties.
The final Union program will not be presented until the official date of the election campaign opening, which should be on the 11th of February. That date is far away, and I have my doubts it will be respected.
The Prodi radio interview is discussed here in Italian.
I will discuss the Union program in a future post.
In the meantime the Union continues its grassroots, "propositive" campaign, generally avoiding national TV. The main leaders appear to take turns brushing off B's hourly rants with brief quips.
Most of the time, they needn't bother since B manages to insult several professional categories a day who respond in merit but not in kind. Yesterday, he insulted foreign correspondents who in general felt honoured by his wrath, and professional polling companies in toto. According to B's imaginary polls he has long since surpassed Prodi and will surpass the Union coalition within hours. This is an excellent sign, as all of his past imaginary polls have proved wrong. Since reality has a hard time ingratiating itself with B's desires, he writes it off as proof of communist voter fraud. Today B managed to insult nearly a half dozen different categories and invent trial verdicts that were never passed.
Other than keeping B and his chums out of jail, ransacking the state coffers, and doubling B's income annually, the centre right has no real program. If you are interested in their drivel you can find something on their sites. I've no intention of wasting my precious time aping their spin.
