Viva Zapatero

This is a bit off topic – has nothing to do with looksism/body dysmorphic disorder, the cosmetic surgery epidemic, or ads about ineffective beauty creams. It is, however, a very important feminist issue – after the latest elections in Spain, Prime Minister Zapatero has formed a new cabinet, with women outnumbering men. The biggest cause of rejoicing for me was the appointment of a 7 month pregnant Carme Chacon as Defense Minister – who promptly went to visit troops in Afghanistan. A big step towards equality, I’d say.

 

I heard about these facts during a sojourn in Italy – I’d come here a week ago in order to vote in the general elections (read: to vote against Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire uber-weasel that has been dumbing down this country with his TV/media monopoly for more than 20 years now).

On Monday, alas, he got re-elected (I’m beginning to feel Italy = Russia, democracy-wise), and what did he say, at the first chance he got? That Spain’s government was “too pink.” And then he went on to say,

That’s something we cannot do… because there is a prevalence of men in politics and it isn’t easy to find women who are qualified for government. Now he’s asked for it. He’ll have problems leading them.

My reaction? Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I wanted to tear up my Italian passport in pretty little pieces. (Of course, while the international press got a field day covering these statements, in Italy they were hardly noticed.)

What did Berlusconi do next? Not even a week after the victory in the elections, he met with Putin in his multi-million dollar villa in Sardinia and treated him with a pseudo burlesque show (featuring bikini clad dancers from one of his TV shows). Somehow I couldn’t picture Prodi (former PM) or Veltroni (B.’s opponent) pulling off the same stunts.

I wish I were from Spain.

Gladly, I’ll be off to Paris in a couple of hours.