I might be a little paranoid, but I was wondering if travelers should be concerned about the upcoming election on March 4th. From what I gather, it's a controversial election and there have been protests and marches that have required police with riot gear. As a traveler who will be in the country through the 8th, I'd like to avoid any of that. We will be traveling from Florence to Venice on the 4th and then to Rome on the 7th. Should we take any precautions? I suspect there may at least be some drunken drama in city centers the night of the 4th. Thanks.
I haven't been in Italy during an election but I was in Romania during one of their elections and then I was in Paris the night of the Euro Cup final between France and Portugal in 2016. I would say just pay more attention. Keep your eyes open and cautious. But that is advice I would give to anyone traveling to any city even in the USA if there is a potential for a riot. I think you will be fine in Venice since you will be there on the night of the election.
The main point is to pay attention.
Pay attention and know what is going on. If there are going to be big rallies, you may wish to know where these are. Some people find these interesting. Ask at your hotel about rallies and the like. There may be issues. The migrants in Italy are THE key issue in this election. Lega Nord is the primary opponent of the migrants. There may be some questions with that group.
I don't want to be accused of being inflammatory, but if a traveler were a person of color, that person would be well-advised to be especially aware during this period.
I'd be more worried about the weather this week!
Thank you for the replies. As you've indicated, I think we will try to be aware and cautious. We will do our best to find out if there are any known protesting events planned. Otherwise, we might choose to stay in the night of the election.
And yes, the weather is crazy here right now. My wife is not used to the cold and has circulation issues--we are struggling to find gloves and shoes/socks that are warm enough for her.
I suspect there may at least be some drunken drama in city centers the night of the 4th.
Why?
Maybe it's overkill but I enrolled in the State Department's Smart Traveler Program. They send out alerts during your travel dates if there is something you should be aware of involving safety.
One year we were in Nicaragua when there were road closures due to political demonstrations. It was a spontaneous thing and the alert allowed us to avoid those towns and roads involved.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html
And if you're going to be traveling through U.S. cities in March 24 there may be political rallies /protests -- would you change your plans for that ? Or just be aware ?
Italy has one type of election or another pretty much every year (national, regional, local, referendums).
Actually it’s pretty rare that Parliament survives the full 5 years before some early elections are called. They even expect to have to do it twice this year since none of the coalitions are likely to reach the majority.
So what is the worry this time?
That Berlusconi will again win the elections and the country will run out of escorts?
Don’t worry. He’s 81 year old already and his penile pump can only help him so much.
Actually the opposite is pretty rare: 9 parliaments out of 17 survived for 5 years, 4 for 4 years, 1 for 3 and and 3 for 2 years.
Berlusconi is a convicted tax cheater and he is ineligible up to October 2018, if the EU human rights court doesn't interfere He will stay ineligible for the rest of his life.
(wiping up the Coke I blew all over my laptop)
Dang it, Roberto! You are hazardous to my devices!
Well. When I was living in Italy it almost never happened that it lasted 5 years.
Aside of the early history of the Republic, under PM De Gasperi, and the last few under Silvio the Great (Fornicator).
B. Is ineligible to run for public office, but not to be leader of his party and actually run the country from behind the scenes, like a true Eminence Grise.
There have been just a few scattered marches, but this is the sleepiest election ever seen. Parties have little funding so nobody is printing posters, people wouldn't believe anyway. There will be little drama on the night of 4th as the most likely outcome is a hung parliament, or anyway a parliament with a very scant majority based with alliances undeclared before the polls. You cannot even rule out a repetition of vote later this year.
Well. When I was living in Italy it almost never happened that it lasted 5 years.
Roberto maybe you are mistaking the duration of the Parliamentary term for the duration of Goverment (like Mr. Oliver last night)?
Wiki is not always a source to be trusted, but they can collect data: https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislature_della_Repubblica_Italiana Before the fall of the Wall, 2 years terms were unheard of, interesting isn't it?
Dario. Check the duration of legislatures from the 1960s to the late 1980’s, which is when I lived there, and you’ll see few lasting the full 5 years.
Interesting article in Wall Street Journal today (Feb 28, 2018) talking about state dysfunction in Italy ("The Real Italian Job: Rev up Productivity"). I cannot provide link as I only have access to paper copy. Quotes a restaurant owner (frustrated with business climate) as saying that foreigners are more interested in eating well (in Italy) than Italians. Hmmm.
they don't want to eat Italians? huh?
(wiping up coffee blown on keyboard)
First belly laugh today. Dang you too, Nigel.
Hahahahahaha! Thank you Roberto and Nigel! You've made my day and it's just barely begun!