Good recap of the situation. I had a lengthy conversation with an Italian friend of mine over dinner this last weekend. It was interesting hearing about the post-Mussolini checks and balances to prevent future dictatorships, but interesting that at the same time so much of the country's economy is dictated by their (and the EU) government. Quite the paradox. Too bad they have yet to realize that their growth issues and lost decades are likely the result of government stifling productive activity.