Decadence and Democracy

«Why have Italians - especially the women - tolerated Mr. Berlusconi's antics for so long? Is there a tipping point for Italians?» Perché gli italiani - in particolare le donne - continuano a sopportare da così tanto tempo le buffonate di Berlusconi? Se lo è chiesto il New York Times che ha dedicato al tema un ampia discussione (dal titolo: «Decadence and Democracy in Italy ») nelle pagine «Room for Debate» dell'edizione online. «Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s career and personal life – scrive il giornale - have caused outrage for as long as he's been in the public eye (…) However, less than 50 percent of Italians are asking for his resignation according to a recent poll. His political future seems, at least for the time being, secure». Come mai, si chiede ancora il giornale? «HOW can it be, many non-Italians ask, that Mr. Berlusconi is still in power? The basic answer is simple: politics. A growing number of Italians would probably change the channel if they saw an alternative, but the left is weak and the center unfocused, and for now the prime minister has a parliamentary majority, if narrow. His fate now lies with his coalition partner, the Northern League, which is growing increasingly restive, and no one has ruled out early elections». Serve tradurre?