I lived there until 2004, that’s the way it was then. Happy memories.

Yes, Sali e tabacchi’s alive and well and the last time I was there, that’d be last year, the Roxy next to San Babila was still on a first come first served basis.

Just ask Bersani what happened when he tried to liberalise some sectors. In the name of checks and balances a caste system, each defending his own, has been formed over the years.

Ok so they’ve introduced internet banking, just to set out on a five year long polemic why banks should keep their exorbitant charges anyway.

Italy’s overregulated, everything belongs to the myriad of authorities, the regione, provincia, the comune and if it’s a large city, its circoscrizioni. Public participation so loved by our Frankie.

The end result is that nothing ever gets done. To refurbish a small block in a mid sized town one needs over 46 permits and certificates from all the different authorities with their offices spread all over the place.

That means the overall taxes paid by any enterprise at the 75% mark.

Everything in Italy is romanticised to an extent that politics become an ideological justification instead of practical action.

When a prime minister can’t even remove his ministers, that’s banned by the constitution, the stasis ensues.

Calling Berlusconi a dictator simply because he lamented that minor detail isn’t objective.

U jekk isib x’jagħmel u jibqa’ hemm, tant l-aħjar.

Indeed he does.

Wayne Hew?

God forbid if Malta/PN get a c*nt like Cameron.

To me they seem ready to grasp a cow’s abundant udder – and start milking it

“Mr Mugliett spoke about spatial planning, noting that the PN has not included this in its electoral programme, asking whether the PL intends to include it in its own programme.

In his reply, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said that spatial planning will be part of the PL programme and the party is committed to it.”

Mhux ovvja!

You dream it up, Joseph will promise it to you.

Jozef, when did you last visit Italy – when Mussolini ruled? Salt at the tobacconist? Cinema tickets not numbered? Bills at the poste when they can be paid by internet banking from the comfort of your home?