A jump back in time to three years ago this week. What was happening three years ago this week in Barga ? Well, down in Rome, lots of action was taking place as Italy’s government finally fell after Prime Minister Romano Prodi lost a confidence vote that made it clear that Italy’s leaders knew they faced a deep political and economic crisis but were venomously divided over how to solve it. After the vote, which Mr. Prodi lost 161 to 156, he submitted his resignation, ending his 20 turbulent months in office and the 61st government since World War II.From the press at the time we read – “If there was any winner of this hard-fought battle, it appeared to be former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s richest man — and some would say its most contentious. Mr. Berlusconi, who has tirelessly worked for a comeback since losing elections to Mr. Prodi in 2006, urged President Giorgio Napolitano to call immediate elections, which polls indicate Mr. Berlusconi would be likely to win.
“Now we have to go to the vote,” Mr. Berlusconi said after the Senate action, referring to an election. “I want a large majority in the lower House and Senate that’s able to enact tough measures.”
Click on the image to see the full cartoon which was one of series published that year under the title DA ARISTO