For the 14th consecutive time, the “fumata nera” (black smoke) in a joint session in Parliament called to elect two new judges in the Supreme Court, has proved unsuccessful: none of the candidates have achieved the quorum 3 out of every 5 members in the assembly totaling 570 votes. Therefore, politics appear to be stuck in the mud- perhaps we should start wondering why.
The ‘Consulta’ – or better ‘the Court’ as it is referred to – plays a vital role in the life of every citizen, more than what we normally dare to think. Just for the sake of recalling a recent example: it was the High Supreme Court (Constitutional Court ) that gave the green light for heterologous fertilization, changing the life of many families (we could go on here and discuss whether for the good or for the worst), moreover, the Supreme Court always has the final say on matters concerning the regions as usual, which could radically change the structure of the territories. Needless to say therefore, it is a place of great responsibility, nonetheless a place where great power is exercised, under this perspective the fierceness in political debate, that has brought to a never-ending series of ”nulla de facto” –nothing in deed- may be understood but certainly not to be justified.
This could suggest that the political parties- and it goes without saying that we appreciated the candidates in the first round– have neither curricula nor competences to offer as an alternative, making it seem more like an ordeal than acting in the interests of people.
Out of 848 voters, 655 ballot-papers were unmarked. A further voting session will need to be held, the fifteenth in all, which will be postponed till next week. The “black smoke” was already in the air this morning, both the left-wing Democrats and the Azzurri, centre right-wing parliamentarians had received instructions not to mark the ballot-paper. The same for the League and the centre-wing parties. For those who are fond of statistics, hereafter are the results of the vote: Violante 43, Bruno 42, Ainis 7; Balducci 7, Besostri 6, 51 loose votes; 655 unmarked ballots, 72 annulled.
Forthcoming voting session has been arranged for next Tuesday, 30th September at 5.pm, but Luigi Zanda has explained that while all at the “Nazareno” (Headquarters of the left-wing Democrats) confirm their full support to Violante, Forza Italy seems to be on the look out for another candidate in place of Bruno.
The party, in fact is already pondering over new candidate-names such as Maurizio Pada, Giovanni Guzzetta) (names already circulating recently) though, it says, the issue no longer is a priority, seeing that nothing can prevent the Supreme Court to go about its daily routine work. It should be underlined though, in the absence of that balance needed, when referring to the current parliamentary scene, given the work-load and urgent sollecitations it has not only arising from Parliament itself but also from the regions, which are also in the capacity to pass laws, can only result in being a risk to the existance of the country.
Translation provided by Marina Stronati
