Last September, Il Partito Democratico, the Italian Democratic Party, asked me to talk about politics and the internet at its summer school in Cortona. Political summer schools are usually pleasant — Cortona is a medieval Tuscan hill town with excellent restaurants — and unexciting. Academics and public intellectuals give talks organised loosely around a theme; Read more
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco’s blistering critique of the Italian political class has resulted in silence from both Berlusconi and his office – both of whom are usually quick to reply to attacks. Political sources said Berlusconi was left “stunned and saddened” by a speech on Monday by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who said Italy needed to “purify the Read more
Italy’s powerful Catholic Church issued a blistering attack on the ruling political class on Monday, saying the country needed to “purify the air” caused by sex and corruption scandals that have given it a bad name around the world. A speech by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco to fellow bishops stopped just short of asking for the Read more