Politics and the State (21)

One of Europe's leading Political economy Italy was on the 'spotlight' as the citizens went to vote for a new leadership after the technocrat Mario Monti stepped down as the Premier of the Nation.

The results after the polls were casted from Saturday the 24th and ending on Sunday the 25th of February,2013 revealed an unprecedented result for Italy.

At the end of the elections Pierliugi Bersani of the leftist Party had a slim majority of 29.5% of the votes both from popular and the parliamentary , while the Right party leader and former Generalissimo Silvio Berlusconi coming closely with about 27% and the Radical Peppe Grillo gaining 25% .

In continuation of the quest for Nations to rediscover and redesign their political structure, the gridlock in Italy after the elections and the hung parliament situation, calls for a strategic process that will avoid the slow operations of the State.

The Slight impasse is another point for scholars and reformers of the political structure in the former Roman Empire to rethink ways of evolving a sustainable system for the Country.

On normal stalemate or cliff-like political situations that reflect a precarious political outcome when, there is a too close to call vote count situation, necessity demands a coalition effort to form a Government.

It can be recalled in the U.K 2010 elections that when it seemed the elections was a close one between former premier Gordon Brown of the Labour Party and David Cameron of the Conservative party and Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats, it took a progressive effort to form a coalition government.

That is how the Conservative/Liberal Democrats where able to resolve what would have been an impasse by forming a Government, this is also expected from Mr Pepp Grillo.

His stance of changing the status quo looks good and the notion that Italy can no longer be caught in between two opinions 'Either Left or Right', it was time for a people oriented Government.

The Uncertainty in Europe's Third Largest Nation has already created speculation and anxiety over the markets and flow in the European region and even the Global market.

It is expected that much wider consultations will be made and a proactive step taken within few days, to bring stability to a Nation that is going through a phenomenal Debt Crisis Situation.

As for the African Nation Kenya first week of March will mark a crucial moment in the political landscape of the East African Giant as the people will vote to decide their next leader.

In retrospect memories of the post election violence of the 2007 Presidential Elections, will not be easily wiped away from the heart of the victims, as the quest for proper reconciliation continues in the country.

Two of the major contestants in the Presidential Elections Mr Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Mr Raila Odinga Odinga will where also major contenders in the last elections alongside current President Mwai Kibaki.

For Kenya the time has for a proper reform its Political Structure, that will deal with the vestiges of ethno-centricism which almost marred the stability of one of Africa's leading 'Tourism Power'.

Apart from Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga they are 6 other candidates contesting at the elections and the intrigues of what would be the outcome after voting, will be playing through the minds of the Kenyans.

At this point three issues are crucial for the Next President of Kenya, First is being a Servant Leader to the people. The Kibaki administration has at several points come under criticisms and increase scrutiny of the public, because of the issues of corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

Servant Leadership will guarantee Accountability and Transparency in the operations of the State. It will have zero tolerance for corruption and ensure frugality in the management of state resources.

Second vital issue is the need to be a 'De-tribalized' leader, a quality that every African leader needs to make good governance achievable. Kenya is still recovering from the travails of the 2007 traumatic post-election violence, that led to an ethnic crisis.

For the Third and final issue in review, the Next President must be dynamic and innovative in the coordination and administration of the Political Economy of the Nation.

Kenya needs to experience phenomenal sustainable economic growth and progressive transformation in all the sectors that have been ailing in the country.

So as the Kenyans prepare to vote, they must look beyond ethnic sentiments and colorations and vote the candidate that will lead a broad-based Government, that will ensure stability and peaceful co-existence.

On the part of the Electoral Commission, maturity and integrity will be needed to ensure that this keenly contested elections becomes a huge success.

Ottoabasi Abasiekong
[email protected]
Writes from Lagos

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Articles by Ottoabasi Abasiekong