Fiddling While Rome Burns

Edoardo Fornaciari / Gamma-Rapho / Getty Images

Take a hike In no uncertain terms, Grillo encourages corrupt Italian politicians to relinquish power

It says something about Italian politics that the most potent political figure to enter the arena since scandal-ridden former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is a frizzy-haired bombastic comedian named Beppe Grillo, best known for organizing nationwide protests against government corruption called "Go F Yourself" days. And what it says is this: that as a desire for change sweeps the European electorate, Italians are feeling starved for choice. Indeed, with the exception of Grillo, Italy doesn't have a single national leader who wasn't already in politics in 1994, the year Berlusconi first came to power....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!