astana 5

Iacopo Scaramuzzi, LA REPUBBLICA:1111

“I take up this last question: in your addresses you have emphasized a lot the link between values, religious values, and the vibrancy of democracy. What do you think our continent, Europe, lacks? What should it learn from other experiences? 

And, if I may, I would add one thing: in a few days Italy will carry out a democratic process with voting in elections and there will be a new government. When you eventually meet the new Prime Minister, what will you recommend? What do you think are the priorities for Italy, what are your concerns, and what are the risks to be avoided?"

I think I already answered this during my last journey. 

I have met two Italian presidents of very high regard: Napolitano and the current one. Great men. The other politicians, I do not know. On my most recent journey, I asked one of my secretaries how many governments Italy has had in this century. Twenty. I cannot explain it. 

I do not condemn this nor criticize this, but I am simply unable to explain it. If governments change like that, then there are many questions to be asked. Because being a politician today, a great politician, is a difficult road.

A politician who puts himself on the line for the values of the country, great values, and does not do so for personal interests, positions, convenience... Nations, and among them Italy, must find great politicians, those who have the ability to carry out politics, which is an art.

Politics is a noble vocation. 

I believe one of the popes, I am not sure whether it was Pius XII or St. Paul VI, said that politics is one of the highest forms of charity. We have to struggle to help our politicians maintain a level of high politics, not low-level politics that does not help at all, and even pulls the State down, impoverishing it.

Today, politics in the nations of Europe should take on the problem of the demographic winter, for example, problems related to industrial development, natural development, problems regarding migrants... 

Politics must address problems seriously in order to move forward. I am talking about politics in general. I do not understand Italian politics: only that figure of twenty governments in twenty years seems a bit strange, but everyone has their own way of dancing the tango... you can dance one way or another, and politics is danced one way or another.

Europe needs to receive experiences from other places. 

Some will go better, some will not. 

But it must be open. 

Each continent must be open... 

to the experiences of others.

[bron]