Enrico Letta may turn out to be The Frau’s Nemesis. He will probably be unable to pull a Mario Monti on Italian policy even if he may want to, because that would cost him the political support he needs to remain in office. That is perhaps a negative reason for placing some hope on this new PM. But there are some signs of positive reasons for hoping that the tide may start turning against the catastrophic Austerity and nothing else German imposed policy.
In his visit to Van Rompuy, Enrico Letta said:
“We would ask above all that the fight against youth unemployment should be the most important, most concrete message to come out of the June European Council.”
That, of course, should go without saying, but since the German stranglehold over Europe has forbidden statements of the obvious, it is indeed cheering to hear it from someone actually in a position to make a difference.
Another encouraging sign also comes from the new Pope Francis, beginning to live up to the expectations his choice of name has aroused. He has tweeted:
“My thoughts turn to all who are unemployed, often as a result of a self-centred mindset bent on profit at any cost.”
Which makes a very welcome change from Pope Vojtilla who truned against the humanitarian, indeed Franciscan (with regard to approach) movement of Catholic priests in South America so many years ago. Vojtilla often sounded more like a supporter of the Pinochet pro dogmatic free market economics than a prelate.
Can we see any of this as a sign that spring could be on its way? We can only hope so.
But the tide has to turn. Otherwise we shall all be inundated and drown.