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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Economic Crisis Dominates Italian Election

Former Italian Premier and People of Freedom party leader Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech during a campaign rally in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse/AP)

Former Italian Premier and People of Freedom party leader Silvio Berlusconi delivers his speech during a campaign rally in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse/AP)

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s prime minister who resigned because of a sex scandal, is trying to make a political comeback, and Italian voters will have their say on that on Sunday.

The next government will be challenged by a deep recession and unemployment rates, which approach 40 percent among young Italians.

The economic crisis is forcing some young people to leave the country, or seek unusual jobs.

The BBC’s Alan Johnston reports.

Other stories from Wednesday's show

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

  • http://twitter.com/JohnnyFroggg J Frog

    Berlusconi has a lot of problems, but I agree with him that the property tax is one of the worst taxes (he wants to repeal Italy’s property tax).   I would much rather see a sales tax or even an income tax over a property tax.  With a property tax, you are basically renting your property.  If you can’t afford the tax, the government takes away your property.

    On a side note:  Wondering what the thought process is when someone decides to go the couvré route?  Not a fan.

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