Erstellt am: 26. 2. 2013 - 15:13 Uhr

Italy's political impasse

Reality Check: Italy elections, Egypt opposition calls for election postponement, Chavez health crisis, training people with autism for business, politics and the Oscars

Italy used to have a reputation for changing governments like the rest of Europe changed its underwear. Between 1990 and 2000 there were 9 elections, with the longest tenure of any Prime Minister being 2 years, 5 months, achieved by Romano Prodi from May 1996 to October 1998. The rest were lucky to last more than a year. The 2000s saw relative stability, with Silvio Berlusconi in charge for 8 of the 10 years. Now the "teenies" - or whatever we end up calling the current decade, look set to go back to instable governments and frequent changes, if the current election results are anything to go by.

The general election has resulted in a stalemate, with centre left leader Pier Luigi Bersani having only the narrowest lead over Silvio Berlusconi's centre right coalition. The margin between the two groups is less than 0,5%, and a final result will only be announced when all postal votes have been counted.

Outgoing Prime Minister, Mario Monti, polled less than 10%, underscoring Italians' dissatisfaction with his austerity policies, while anti-politics, protest champion, Beppe Grillo, secured a phenomenal 25%.

EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

Former stand-up comedian, Beppe Grillo, and his 5 Star Movement are only a few percentage points behind the centre left and centre right coalitions, highlighting disillusionment with conventional politics and politicians

Whichever way it goes, it is unlikely that either party will be able to form a workable government, and new elections seem inevitable in the foreseeable future. However, it's unclear whether the result would be much different.

Seema Gupta reports from Rome on the implications of the results so far, and what might happen next.

Egypt's opposition calls for election to be postponed

Opposition leaders in Egypt, including former head of the IAEA, Mohammed El Baradei, say the elections scheduled to start on April 22nd should be postponed. Political commentator, Wael Eskander, considers what a postponement could achieve and how the country can move forwards.

Hugo Chavez' health crisis

Venezuela's President continues to be treated for breathing problems in a Caracas hospital, and doubts are increasing that he will be able to return to active politics. Celia Szusterman, Director of the Latin American Programme at the Institute for Statecraft considers how his absence is impacting on Venezuelan politics.

Turning autism to advantage

The Danish organisation that is helping people with autism to discover their full potential in business.

Politics and film

EPA/MICHAEL YADA

Film industry analyst, John Baxter, looks at the controversial political aspects of the weekend's Oscars.

Apart from the political nature of many of the nominated films, there has been widespread criticism from Republicans of the choice of Michelle Obama to announce the winner of the "Best Film" award, which went to Argo.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.