The following are my own opinions after living in Italy for several years.

Berlusconi has been getting front page coverage from CNN for days now—much of it positive. According to the Prime Minister, the Italian people express so much affection for him that it is “embarrassing.”

That is not the picture I have after living for several years in Rome. Certainly there are parts of this country and individual households where Berlusconi may be adored, but I can say that the majority of people in Rome certainly do not support him and many consider him deeply harmful to the country. There are a series of complicated reasons for his return to power.   

Many were disappointed with the performance of the center-left government, to the point of going “on strike” and not voting in last election. Another important thing to remember is that Italians vote for the party, they can’t choose the person.

Silvio Berlusconi has repeatedly demonstrated his lack of respect for women--other than his appreciation for their physical beauty.

Angry recently with Rosy Bindi, who criticized a comment he made about Napoletano, the President of the Republic, he insulted her. Suggesting that she be quiet he added, “You are more beautiful than you are intelligent.” This does not translate into English with the same impact. It is more like saying, “You are even more stupid than you are ugly.” Audiences were stunned, and Ms. Bindi quietly replied, “Prime Minister, I am not a woman at your disposal.” Berlusconi’s insult outraged women all over Italy . Thousands of women sent pictures to La Repubblica with “Woman offended by the Premier” written across them. I did so as well. There is also a Facebook Group in Solidarity with Rosy Bindi.

Most Italians I know feel a genuine sense of despair about the direction the country is going. Berlusconi and his cronies get richer and richer. And the average Italian is having a harder and harder time just making ends meet. I love this country and I have been warmly welcomed here. But am constantly struck by how much more the Italian people deserve from their government than what they have received from Silvio Berlusconi.