Italians keep watchful eye on German election

By Alessandra Cardone
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, September 22, 2013
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The German elections scheduled on 22 September are triggering a high level of interest in Italy, as well in other European countries.

The outcome, however, is not going to be crucial for the future of the country, both politically and economically, analysts say.

"This election is important for everybody and every country in Europe. And yet, what is going to happen in the coming months in Italy is not up to the Germans, but to our domestic politics. It all depends on how we will come out of this political crisis and of the instability that is undermining the country right now" said Paolo Valentino, senior foreign policy columnist at the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera' and ex correspondent from Berlin.

The analyst didn't foresee any big change in the Berlin's policy within EU either: "Italians cannot make themselves a lot of illusions because there will not be radical changes in the European policy of Germany, whatever the outcome of this election will be" he said.

Yet, all the media outlets in Italy are ready to cover the event extensively. They have analyzed in deep Berlin's role within the EU and explained what available solutions to form a coalition there would be, according to the different poll results.

Italians seem quite fascinated by what the Germans will decide on Sunday. At the same time a feeling of annoyance towards Berlin's government is not uncommon, because of the austerity's agenda the German Chancellor has been promoting among European partners, which means, for Italy, renewed appeals for structural and often 'painful' reforms.

According to polls and forecasts, though, Chancellor Angela Merkel is going to win her third mandate as Chancellor. The real uncertainty seems to be which ally or allies her party - the Christian Democrats or CDU - will be in the government with.

With the Social Democrats - now at the opposition - in the government, there might be a better chance to get to the banking European Union in a shorter time, the Italian analyst suggested. But all the same, in its ground design, Germany's position will be more or less the same.

"I don't agree with the idea that Germany wants to have an hegemonic role" said Valentino "on the contrary it has been very shy in taking its responsibilities in Europe. But Germans want more Europe because they know that it is in their interests. And they are ready to play their role, provided that the other partners do their 'homework'. And Italy has done its own homework, but not entirely yet, not the crucial ones".

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