IVE years ago,this newspaper declared that Silvio Berlusconi was unfit to lead Italy.Mr Berlusconi was(as he still is)the head of Forza Italia,a political party that he had created only seven years earlier,and as such he was the centre-right's candidate to become prime minister.Despite our declaration,Italians voted his coalition into power in May 2001-and Mr Berlusconi has been Italy's prime minister ever since.Now,in the election on April 9th and loth,he is seeking a fresh term of office.He does not deserve one.Our verdict against Mr Berlusconi in 2001 rested on two broad considerations.The first was the glaring conflict of interest created by his ownership,via his biggest company,Media-set,of the three main private television stations in Italy.
展开▼
