I don’t know what is happening, but I see a resurgence of old age politicians in the west, even in the US, which generally has had mid 40s to late 50s Presidents in recent times, except for Ronald Reagan, who became President at age 70.
Since 2016, however, the US has had Trump who became President at age 70, and certainly Joe Biden who became President at 78, not to mention the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, (second in line of Presidential replacements) hitting over 80! I guess pre-digital world experience is still raking some value! But my writing today covers two special personalities in Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, and Gina Lollobrigida.
Berlusconi, 85, announced that he is running for the Italian Senate in the snap election this September 25. Now our Silvio has basically dabbled in anything that matters in power projection: Business, Media, Sports, Politics. Even throwing parties in which 16/17 year old girls served the pleasures of himself and older men. Now, at 85, he is making a run at the Italian Senate again. He has occupied so many positions of political power (Italy’s Prime Minister, Italy’s Senate, Member of the European Parliament), and he is so accomplished that I am still at a loss to understand why? I guess he is bored or needs parliamentary immunity for one of the ongoing legal hassles he has.
Not to be outdone, is Gina Lollobrigida, the 95-year-old Italian actress, photojournalist and sex symbol of 1950s & 1960s. She is also running for a Senate seat (but not against Silvio) in the Italian snap election on September 25. When asked about the reasons for her decision to run, she said: "I was just tired of hearing politicians arguing with each other without ever getting to the point. I will fight for the people to decide, from health to justice. Italy is in bad shape, I want to do something good and positive." Which is fair, but I wonder what she will be able to contribute to the improvement.
This brings me back to the US and Joe Biden. Of course, I do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age (nor sex, religion, color, and a host of other points), but when I read that the Democrats are discussing whether Biden should run again in 2024, I wonder. I recall during the 2020 elections, it was announced and drummed up that he will be a 1-term President to get the house in order and reunite the nation, and pass the flame on to the next President (Kamala Harris?) in 2024. And now the Democrats are debating if he should run or not? What happened for him to even be considered? Has it gone to his head, and he wants to run again? Or is it that some Democrats feel they do not have anyone better than him?
At this rate, Mikhael Gorbachev should be made to run for the Russian Presidency. He passed away recently at 91, and his dead consciousness will possibly make better decisions than the current 70-year old office holder.
Paris, September 12, 2022
Zeejay