AFTER weeks in which both the media and markets were mesmerised by Silvio Berlusconi’s vacillation, Italy’s attention switched over the holiday season to Mario Monti, his successor as prime minister. In a Dance of the Seven Veils, Mr Monti, who has headed a non-party government since November 2011, teasingly revealed his intentions. First, he announced he was ready to serve again as prime minister after the general election, which is likely to be held on February 28th. Then he launched a policy agenda. Finally he held talks with a cluster of like-minded centre-right groups.It was decided that they should form an alliance for the election to the Senate, but run independently—with as many as four sets of candidates—for the Chamber of Deputies. Adding to the potential for confusion in the minds of voters, Mr Monti ruled himself out of the election, but not the campaign. His name will feature on the logo of the parties that support his agenda, but he himself will not be a parliamentary candidate (ostensibly because, as a life senator, he is already a member).It was not the most propitious start, especially since two of his best-known supporters decided to pull…
