The League's influence may explain Mr Berlusconi's tepid approach to next week's 150th anniversary of Italian unification.

ECONOMIST: Silvio Berlusconi's future

Last year's 150th anniversary of Italian unification saw acid remarks about its having divided Africa, not united Italy.

ECONOMIST: How to slay its demons

Positions for and against unification that it was the inevitable destiny of the Italian people, or a disastrous mistake are a staple of Italian conversation, and, however cogently Graziano writes, one sometimes feels that he is loading the dice.

NEWYORKER: Booted