Italy’s new government will be made up mainly of non-political, technical experts. But democracy requires politicians, not technocrats, to make decisions and to be accountable to an electorate
The Italian political and economic crisis can only be cured by a government of the technocrats or so we are told. This is no time for politicians.
Tempting as this may seem after 17 years with a controversial and undignified plutocrat as prime minister, this cannot be right in any democracy. Politics, political leadership, political choice, political scrutiny and political accountability are essential in any free and prosperous economy and society. Political passion (if one may use this term when mentioning Italian government) is essential to drive change; as are political values and principles.
