Venetians voting for Independence from Rome, that's what.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/venices-secession-from-italy-hans-hermann-hoppe-and-nation-states/ (http://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/venices-secession-from-italy-hans-hermann-hoppe-and-nation-states/)
"With an 89 percent majority, the voters of Venice have elected to leave Italy. In practice, what this really means is that the Venetians plan to no longer send tax revenues to Rome. Apparently, the Venetians, who inhabit the historical capital of one of humanity’s richest and most successful republics, wish to no longer subsidize the famously-corrupt bureaucrats in Rome. Southern Italy has long been regarded by the richer, cleaner, and more efficient North as a drain on their resources. According to the Daily Mail, at least, there is talk of extending the secession movement to other areas of the North as well.
Campaigner Paolo Bernardini, professor of European history at the University of Insubria in Como, northern Italy, said it was ‘high time’ for Venice to become an autonomous state once again.
‘Although history never repeats itself, we are now experiencing a strong return of little nations, small and prosperous countries, able to interact among each other in the global world.’
‘The Venetian people realized that we are a nation (worthy of) self-rule and openly oppressed, and the entire world is moving towards fragmentation – a positive fragmentation – where local traditions mingle with global exchanges.’
Naturally, the large nation-states of Europe hate and fear developments like this. But for anyone who can remember history, there’s little “tradition” here that the nation-states can lay claim to. Italy is a made-up country, much like Germany, hammered together in the 19th century by powerful authoritarian politicians like Otto von Bismarck who of course hated classical liberalism and capitalism with every fiber of his being.
It will be interesting to see what Rome does. Will they send an army to take their tax money? Perhaps they’ll just wage some sort of campaign of hate against the Venetians, appealing to Italian patriotism. Given that Obama recently declared all secession movements illegitimate (except those supported by the US Government, of course) it’s unknown how much support Venice can expect from the international community.
In a 2004 interview, Hans-Hermann Hoppe spoke on the advantages of small independent (and wealthier) countries:
To the contrary, the greatest hope for liberty comes from the small countries: from Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstein, even Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bermuda, etc.; and as a liberal one should hope for a world of tens of thousands of such small independent entities. Why not a free independent city of Istanbul and Izmir, which maintain friendly relations with the central Turkish government, but which no longer make tax payments to the latter nor receive any payments from it, and which no longer recognize central government law but have their own Istanbul law or Izmir law.
The apologists of the central state (and of superstates such as the EU) claim that such a proliferation of independent political units would lead to economic disintegration and impoverishment. However, not only does empirical evidence speak sharply against this claim: the above-mentioned small countries are all wealthier than their surroundings. Moreover, theoretical reflection also shows that this claim is just another statist myth.
Small governments have many close competitors. If they tax and regulate their own subjects visibly more than their competitors, they are bound to suffer from the emigration of labor and capital. Moreover, the smaller the country, the greater will be the pressure to opt for free trade rather than protectionism. Every government interference with foreign trade leads to relative impoverishment, at home as well as abroad. But the smaller a territory and its internal markets, the more dramatic this effect will be.
If the U.S. engaged in protectionism, U.S. average living standards would fall, but no one would starve. If a single city, say Monaco, did the same, there would be almost immediate starvation. Consider a single household as the conceivably smallest secessionist unit. By engaging in unrestricted free trade, even the smallest territory can be fully integrated in the world market and partake of every advantage of the division of labor. Indeed, its owners may become the wealthiest people on earth. On the other hand, if the same household owners decided to forego all inter-territorial trade, abject poverty or death would result. Accordingly, the smaller the territory and its internal market, the more likely it is that it will opt for free trade.
Moreover, as I can only indicate but not explain here, secession also promotes monetary integration and would lead to the replacement of the present monetary system of fluctuating national paper currencies with a commodity money standard entirely outside of government control. In sum, the world would be one of small liberal governments economically integrated through free trade and an international commodity money such as gold. It would be a world of unheard of prosperity, economic growth, and cultural advancement."
But the smaller a territory and its internal markets, the more dramatic this effect will be.
Give it again, will you.
What territory?[abbr=A typo?]*[/abbr]
I suspect that this thread will go viral in short order.
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERD4CbBDNI0[/video]
This is a warped item. It has to be made clear here that the "referendum" was not official or sanctioned.
This is a warped item. It has to be made clear here that the "referendum" was not official or sanctioned.
To be fair, even if you lot in Scotland vote for Independence by a majority, London may not let you all go regardless. :left:
Colonel Rebel, jaybro, rjhowie and josh...
I wonder how many of you have ever been in Italy...
Colonel Rebel, jaybro, rjhowie and josh...
I wonder how many of you have ever been in Italy...
I had intended to visit Rome and Vatican City whilst I studying in the UK in 2011, however, I was unable to do so. I do plan on some sort of vacation at some point this year, so...... :D
so......
you never been there.... :D
You'll love it. :)
Colonel Rebel, jaybro, rjhowie and josh...
[Name snipped], He Regards you.
thank you, belfrager!!!Mod edit: please don't post people's names without their permission.
Colonel Rebel, jaybro, rjhowie and josh...
I wonder how many of you have ever been in Italy...
I've been to Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids and other places that you've never visited.
powerful authoritarian politicians like Otto von Bismarck who of course hated classical liberalism and capitalism with every fiber of his being.
Of course? Calling Bismarck a socialist is as silly as calling Obama a socialist.
powerful authoritarian politicians like Otto von Bismarck who of course hated classical liberalism and capitalism with every fiber of his being.
Of course? Calling Bismarck a socialist is as silly as calling Obama a socialist.
He started more or less universal healthcare in Germany, therefore according to the teabaggers he's a dirty communist and a nazi.
He started more or less universal healthcare in Germany, therefore according to the teabaggers he's a dirty communist and a nazi.
Americans are funny, the things they put together.
There's a "small" difference between communists, socialists, social-democrats, Christian-democrats , national-socialists and fascists.
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
He started more or less universal healthcare in Germany, therefore according to the teabaggers he's a dirty communist and a nazi.
Americans are funny, the things they put together.
There's a "small" difference between communists, socialists, social-democrats, Christian-democrats , national-socialists and fascists.
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
@Mac: Shall I tell him, or will you? :right:
He started more or less universal healthcare in Germany, therefore according to the teabaggers he's a dirty communist and a nazi.
Americans are funny, the things they put together.
There's a "small" difference between communists, socialists, social-democrats, Christian-democrats , national-socialists and fascists.
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
Most of the teabaggers don't have a clue what any of those words mean. Seriously, I wish I was kidding. Doesn't stop them from throwing them at anything they don't like ( well, except 'christian' ).
I understand Southern laddie that being foreign you might not understand the way our political system works but that is a kind of daft think to say about the Scottish Referendum. My reason for my comment is that it IS OFFICIAL. The British Parliament endorsed the Scottish Referendum as did the Edinburgh parliament so there is no comparison with Venice, etc. So our is offical and the sinking city's isn't.
The bigger the central government, the more apt that that government can be corrupted.
Don't believe me, look at Washington D.C. (District of Chicago)
That should be proof positive.
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
And let's not forget dentists.
Most of the teabaggers don't have a clue what any of those words mean. Seriously, I wish I was kidding. Doesn't stop them from throwing them at anything they don't like ( well, except 'christian' ).
I would be very surprised if they would ever know what Christian Democracy means.
It applies to teabaggers, republicans and democrats.
Whatever, there's no patience for total political illiteracy.
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
And let's not forget dentists.
And listists
Not to speak about anarchists, trotskists, maoists and other "ists".
And let's not forget dentists.
Homeopathic dentists (http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/find-a-homeopathic-practitioner/find-a-homeopathic-dentist/).
And let's not forget dentists.
You mean dndists...
I understand Southern laddie that being foreign you might not understand the way our political system works but that is a kind of daft think to say about the Scottish Referendum. My reason for my comment is that it IS OFFICIAL. The British Parliament endorsed the Scottish Referendum as did the Edinburgh parliament so there is no comparison with Venice, etc. So our is offical and the sinking city's isn't.
Indeed it (Scotland's vote) is official; I never said it was not.
I merely stated that if your lot voted for independence, Whitehall does not have to grant it to you all.
Come now old fella; reading comprehension for once in your life please! :sherlock:
You are still trying to stretch out an inaccuracy to prove some invalid point lad. The Westminster parliament voted for Scotland to have the Referendum and it has been made clear it will accept the outcome. Had the UK parliament voted against the move that would have been it. Indeed the Prime Minister has openly stated so just to help enlighten you a wee bitty further. You see we are a democracy and the wonky political system you have to be stuck with is not a positive basic for the point. So come on youngie and wise up. Only too glad to widen your youthful knowledge.
ps As for auld yins you are a supporter of a senator who is an oldie........
You are still trying to stretch out an inaccuracy to prove some invalid point lad. The Westminster parliament voted for Scotland to have the Referendum and it has been made clear it will accept the outcome. Had the UK parliament voted against the move that would have been it. Indeed the Prime Minister has openly stated so just to help enlighten you a wee bitty further. You see we are a democracy and the wonky political system you have to be stuck with is not a positive basic for the point. So come on youngie and wise up. Only too glad to widen your youthful knowledge.
ps As for auld yins you are a supporter of a senator who is an oldie........
Shall we start to call Scotland "semi-detached" now then? :right:
Garibaldi. Red Shirts.
What a silliness that is rebel waffler. Semi-detached. How can Scotland be that when it IS fully attached. If independent then it would be detached fully. Hhmm, getting a bitty complicated for you.
What a silliness that is rebel waffler. Semi-detached. How can Scotland be that when it IS fully attached. If independent then it would be detached fully. Hhmm, getting a bitty complicated for you.
Surely I got a laugh out of you, old curmudgeon? 8)
Just thought I'd post that to see how you'd take it, as I always was amused when I was living in the UK when people referred to their homes as either "detachted" or "semi-detached". :)
Shall we start to call Scotland "semi-detached" now then? :right:
A few of its citizens are.
Yeah I do get a smile Confederate youngster and know well what you are up to. As for those here who are detached jimbro they would do well across the pond but be kind of down the queue in a land of nut jobs.
What's going on in Italy? (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?topic=266.msg14378#msg14378)
Judging by the participation of Italians in this forum, I'm afraid the Vesuvius has erupted again.
What's going on in Italy? (https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?topic=266.msg14378#msg14378)
Judging by the participation of Italians in this forum, I'm afraid the Vesuvius has erupted again.
It is indeed tragic that you've not recruited any of your Italian friends on here, or better yet, a Catholic priest. :P
It is indeed tragic that you've not recruited any of your Italian friends on here, or better yet, a Catholic priest. :P
(https://dndsanctuary.eu/index.php?action=reporttm;topic=266.32;msg=16803)
Yes, indeed, a tragedy. :)
Except for myself, with this universal all over the world tendency of mine - an heritage from my ancestors - the rest of civilization doesn't seems to care too much about the Northerner forums.
They're wrong and short sighted, one most know the enemy. :)
Regarding the Priests, you can find them right where they should be, inside churches so you can regret, penitence and ask for mercy in order to save your atheist soul for eternity.
When in heavens, you'll have all the time of the world to discuss with them. :)
Giorgia Meloni May Lead Italy, and Europe Is Worried (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/world/europe/giorgia-meloni-italy-right.html)
Shouldn't the politically correct feminists be happy that Italy is getting a long overdue first female prime minister?
Speaking for Europe, I can say that Europe does not need to worry. The rise of a new wave of extreme/far rightists probably started with the victory of Jörg Haider of Austria in 1999. By a concerted EU diplomatic effort, Haider was blocked from becoming a chancellor of Austria. In hindsight it can be said that the EU diplomatic effort of intimidating Haider out of power and shaming Austrian voters for this particular election result was the wrong take.
What will happen in Sweden with SD in government with M? About the same as happened in Estonia with EKRE in government with K. SD will see that exercising power in a coalition is no fun. Either they'll need to keep addressing completely unnecessary self-caused little scandals or they will be boring like every other party and be forgotten when the government falls.
Meloni will have more power than this, but so did Berlusconi for a very long series of terms and Italy survived. Admittedly, it survived as Italy, not as an honourable Western European country, but it is not too bad to survive as Italy. Maintain the mechanisms of elections and transfer of power in good order and it will be okay. The damage that Berlusconi caused was quite bad; Meloni will be mellow in comparison. Importantly, the most dangerous element - pro-Putinism as in Le Pen (and, again, Berlusconi) - appears not to be there in Meloni. Her other alleged problematic issues are either topics that the EU does not have a consistent policy on, such as immigration (as exemplified by the difference of handling the Syrian refugee crisis versus the Ukrainian refugee crisis), or that have low priority, such as LGBT agenda.
Obviously "politically correct feminists" are not thrilled with Meloni (nor obviously Berlusconi nor Salvini).
SD will not be "in government with" M (the Swedish conservatives), KD (Christian Democrats) and L[iberals], they will be the parliamentary base for that putative government. Which may not sound as such a big deal, but the leader joined when SD was a tiny Nazi parti decades ago, and changed it to a denazified and more electable one, though doubts remains about their honorable intentions. Sweden and Swedes are not really under threat, but the party is big enough to make once orderly Swedish politics a mess. Since they cleverly avoid being in power, they probably can avoid any disastrous blunder and remain big enough to keep Swedish politics messy. (And today the SD-supported three party coalition agreed to agree (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/14/swedish-parties-agree-coalition-with-backing-of-far-right), so if things go well for Kristersson, he'll be the next PM on Monday.)
https://twitter.com/jaxroam/status/1569192665488449538
Not on an Italian level though, where the politics is messy both in the orderly North ("Germany with good food") and the more idiosyncratic South.
Putin is indeed the biggest question mark. Bit like the "now Nazi are the SD leaders really?", how anti-Putin is Meloni when it comes down to it? The other two definitely aren't.
For the more passionate antifa types, this image signals straightforward "nazi collaboration" and Sweden is (close to) joining the ranks of rogues a la Poland:
(https://static-cdn.sr.se/images/4916/9e794211-5be2-41cb-8e6f-0d86efb9b349.jpg)
Moderaternas ledare Ulf Kristersson blir ny statsminister och Sverige får en ny regering med tre partier till höger. Det är Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna och Liberalerna. Sverigedemokraterna kommer inte att vara med i regeringen. Men de kommer att samarbeta nära med regeringen.
Until now, the establishment parties did not even talk to SD. Now SD is part of the establishment. That's a shift.
In Italy, the weird and sad thing is that Berlusconi is still active in politics, instead of in jail or at least retired. Before the new government of Italy is in place, Berlusconi is already undermining it (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/meloni-berlusconi-allies-nasty-power-plays-91550762).
I really wish Western Europe showed some example to the rest of the world how corruption and treason can be made illegal, but I am of course wishing too much when the absolutely most gleefully shining example of these crimes, namely Schröder, has faced no consequences at all. If Schröder can be legally deemed a perfectly clean boy, so that he is still in the same party with the current Bundeskanzler, then there really is no hope for Europe as long as Germany is the driver and the trend-setter.
Schröder seems to be in company with Tony Blair, with what seems to be the harshest punishment available for politicians: Ostracism. Blair was arguably the most successful British Labour politician since forever, until he joined forces with Bush. He makes plenty on the Circuit, but politically speaking he's dead.
Likewise expect Trump to spend 0 days in prison, and while the accumulated years in prison from the occupation of Congress last year can be measured in lifetimes, expect no politicians and nary a henchman to spend any time among them.
Berlusconi did end up having to do four hours of "work" as community service for a year. Heinz-Christian Strache (https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/austria-far-right-chief-faces-resignation-calls-over-video-scandal.710300), on tape actually planning crimes, ended up having to resign, later working as a Putin intermediary (https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/12/19/austrian-far-right-politicians-travel-to-moscow-to-grease-ties-between-trump-putin-meet-michael-flynn-politics-europe/). Netanyahu's case is ongoing, but seems headed for a Berlusconi-like community service. Speaking of Israel, ex-president Katsav did end up with five years in prison for rape in the second round, thus avoiding the dreaded community service of the first round. In France Chirac got two years suspended prison, Sarkozy is facing two years suspended, one year not. That case is ongoing. While in Malta Joseph Muscat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Muscat) had to resign. North Macedonia's Nikola Gruevski is convicted to prison, but he has to be extradited from Hungary first (https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/skopje-asks-hungary-to-extradite-former-pm-again/). For US Americans, Wikipedia made a list (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_federal_politicians_convicted_of_crimes).
Schröder clearly hasn't done anything illegal, that we know of. Beijing a lobbyist isn't illegal. Being paid by Putin (or Kim og Xi or whoever) isn't illegal. Should more be done to uncover illegal activities by politicians and other PEP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politically_exposed_person)s, or should we instead restrict which activities can be done legally? Not against either, but I don't think in that case we should repeat the US mistake of criminalising foreign agents of influence, while the domestic ones are scot-free.
Schröder clearly hasn't done anything illegal, that we know of.
Schröder is guilty of corruption and treason. Being in the pocket of oligarchs and kleptocrats is corruption, and serving a foreign power undermining your own country is treason. It is quite unfortunate that this is legal in Germany. As long as this is so, there is no credible way to blame Orban either for anything, but it would be better for the common good of the EU to be able to.
I don't think in that case we should repeat the US mistake of criminalising foreign agents of influence, while the domestic ones are scot-free.
Interesting point, but applicable only to countries that routinely engage in meddling with other countries and then hypocritically deny involvement when they mess up and things turn hot - all along thinking that this is a perfectly legitimate behaviour and a good general policy. Not a good way to gain and build trust though. Quite the opposite in fact. Why join (or remain in) a union with countries whose operating principle is to pull the rug from under their allies?
Edit: Meanwhile in Italy, Berlusconi received vodka from Putin for birthday (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/18/silvio-berlusconi-said-he-received-shipment-of-vodka-from-vladimir-putin-say-reports). As Schröder's and Berlusconi's examples show, it is impossible to break the law or EU sanctions, so that's about it.
Nothing Schröder has done (that we know of) in government or after is illegal in any jurisdiction. Sure there has never been a fossil fuel project he didn't approve of or pushed for, but whatever the views we might have on that, shilling for the fossil industry is perfectly legal.
Orban hasn't broken any Hungarian laws either, again that we know of.
We cannot stop lobbying in general, that would mean preventing politicians and decision makers from talking to anyone. We can make it more transparent, registers and the like, and prevent some from lobbying. Bribery is illegal of course, and if Berlusconi was Swedish, those bottles of vodka would become property of the Swedish government.
Blocking based on nationality doesn't work. Clearly Putin has agents of influence in the US, in Europe, in the rest of the world, and they are not Russian. "Influence washing" is easy. You could easily get someone to influence a news medium/social medium and they could do on their own accord and for their own interests. That medium in turn could influence/blackmail the politician. Murdoch is an agent of influence, with massive influence in the English-speaking world. Or for that matter Musk.
Berlusconi is example good enough. Media power led to immense wealth and political power. What's in his interest is not in Italy's interest, but it is what is in his interest that counts when he is in power.
Nothing Schröder has done (that we know of) in government or after is illegal in any jurisdiction. Sure there has never been a fossil fuel project he didn't approve of or pushed for, but whatever the views we might have on that, shilling for the fossil industry is perfectly legal.
It is (often) NOT legal, as a politician, to be a spokesperson for an industry, and after successful peddling to move on to the industry's pay. It is sometimes prosecuted. See the Alstom and Uber affairs that concern many politicians around Europe.
Schröder's shilling was brazen enough so that it was noticed long before he made the move. If the laws are sane, it should be prosecutable enough like some of these cases https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Korruptionsaff%C3%A4ren_um_Politiker_in_der_Bundesrepublik_Deutschland
Schröder is the absolute most egregious example of this, he is working for a foreign power to boot, so it is a very harmful case of legal sloth to fail to prosecute him. It has made the entire EU look bad.
I know that Germany is strong enough to be able to afford foreign agents of the highest sort. However, the EU cannot afford it, because this kind of foreign agents pick the EU apart and make it ineffective, even harmful for some members. Also, it makes the EU hypocritical when smaller members have to prosecute own politicians for similar corruption and near-treason, like Aivars Lembergs and Ilmars Rimševičs in Latvia or Algirdas Paleckis and Ričardas Malinauskas in Lithuania.
Also a country like Sweden may be able to afford Russian agents to operate, but Baltic countries, where Russia has been constantly whining about fashists and russophobia and conducting diversion operations already before Yeltsin era ended, must take countermeasures, even though German and French politicians ask us to be more tolerant with Russia. Are we supposed to be okay with those German and French politicians conveying Putin's requests - for a good compensation that is legal in their own home country? The latest example was how Lithuania was treated regarding the Kaliningrad transit. This is going to stay on the agenda.
Murdoch is an agent of influence, with massive influence in the English-speaking world. Or for that matter Musk.
These are oligarchs by themselves, not agents in somebody else's pocket.
That does not make them less insidious, or damaging, in this case or in other.
Indeed, conflicts of interest may very well not be legal. Here's an opinion piece about how to change the rules in relation to some semi-recent affairs:
There are countless front pages of newspapers, books and documentaries devoted to the troubled relationship between political and economic power. Diamonds, pesticides, oil, agri-food, automobile, public works, pharma... all of them are entitled to the dilatory strategies of the shadowy influencers.
And in doing so, the trust of citizens in our political system is eroded a little more. Ecolo can thus condemn Maggie de Block as "Minister of Lobbies" rather than Minister of Health.
[…]
To date, there is no direct regulation of the activity of lobbyists in Belgium. Parliamentary commissions and codes of ethics have been put in place, without however recognizing lobbying in the strict sense.
The Belgian Association of Public Relations Consultants (BAPRC) has therefore been given the task of drafting ethical codes for its members. This is a welcome self-regulation, but it does not replace the legitimacy of the law.
The Federal Parliament has therefore decided to move forward on the subject. Overshadowed by other issues such as pension reform or the migration crisis, the work of the "Political Renewal" group and a first bill to create a register of lobbies have begun to recognize the activity.
However, citizens are likely to be disappointed. The proposed register of lobbies contains little information (name, telephone, company number). More surprisingly, the federal executive, the main instigator of the laws, would not be subject to this register and would continue to consult lobbies in the shadows.
These are oligarchs by themselves, not agents in somebody else's pocket.
Someone like Musk does have massive business interests in China. I'd imagine he wouldn't want to rock the boat too much if he can help it.
These are oligarchs by themselves, not agents in somebody else's pocket.
Someone like Musk does have massive business interests in China. I'd imagine he wouldn't want to rock the boat too much if he can help it.
Sure. Being an oligarch does not necessarily mean being completely sovereign, even though some oligarchs imagine themselves to be such. Musk (and more so Murdoch) is a businessman, some moves a are bad for his business so he either does not do those moves or attempts to undo them when he discovers it was a mistake.
Ever since Berlusconi pocketed enough telemedia he thinks he is invulnerable, which is quite justified thinking on his part, because he has really been through everything basically unscathed, retaining all the liberties and access to power, and is now 86 years old, i.e. a life lived merrily and still ongoing.
In contrast, all Russian oligarchs are Putin's vassals who must sacrifice own wealth for him when the time is at hand, which is right now. The most sovereign oligarch is Putin himself. Schröder is a well-paid foreign agent, not some unwitting useful idiot. Schröder's case qualifies for treason 100%.
Bribery is illegal of course, and if Berlusconi was Swedish, those bottles of vodka would become property of the Swedish government.
I'm honestly happy I was wrong about the bottles of vodka.
Bruxelles: "La vodka dalla Russia viola le sanzioni e i regali non fanno eccezione" (https://www.agi.it/estero/news/2022-10-19/ue-vodka-da-russia-viola-sanzioni-no-eccezione-regali-18510972/)
The Italian code (https://complianceconcourse.willkie.com/resources/sanctions-enforcement-fines-penalties-and-sanctions) seems to indicate fine and/or confiscation. Possibly, eventually.
Italy
The violation of financial sanctions adopted either by the EU or Italy implies the application of administrative fines and may also imply criminal liability (for individuals only), to the extent that the Public Prosecutor finds that the violation is also of a criminal nature. As to the relevant administrative fines, the following penalties apply:
- violating the prohibition of using/disposing of frozen assets or of making, directly or indirectly, funds/resources available to designated persons is punishable by a fine of Euro 5,000 up to Euro 500,000; the same fine applies in case of a deliberate participation in activities whose objective is to circumvent, directly or indirectly, an assets freeze;
- breach by institutions and entities subject to anti-money laundering obligations of their duty to communicate details of the assets freeze measures adopted and of the amount and nature of frozen assets is punishable by a fine of Euro 500 up to Euro 25,000;
- any other violations of EU Regulations imposing restrictive measures or economic sanctions or the violation of the reporting duty/request of authorizations by member States is punishable by a fine of Euro 5,000 up to Euro 500,000.
The above-listed administrative fines can be increased up to three times for serious, repeated and/or systematic violations. Moreover, as said above, the relevant conduct may be prosecuted as a criminal offence to the extent that it falls within the scope of one of the offenses set out in the Italian Criminal Code. In particular, providing financial resources to persons/entities designated under the sanctions regime targeting terrorism may ultimately lead to a sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment, regardless of whether those resources were used for terroristic acts.
In addition, the Ministry of Economy and Finance can order the seizure of the items used or intended to commit the violation.
Legislative Decree No. 109/2007—in connection with Law No. 689/1981—also provides that in the event that the above mentioned violations are committed by a director/employee of a legal entity, both the individual and the entity are severally liable, even where those who materially committed the violation are not univocally identifiable.
Administrative fines applied according to Legislative Decree No. 109/2007 can be challenged according to Law No. 689/1981.
The EU may treat those vodka bottles like a harmless joke even though they breach sanctions. In contrast, Putin makes it clear (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11270543/Putin-takes-swipe-Giorgia-Meloni-cutting-gas-Italy-days-backed-Ukraine.html) that those vodka bottles are super-important by cutting off gas from Italy.
Perhaps he doesn't like lambrusco.
A boat capsized in Italy's Lago Maggiore. Four people drowned. The boat was full of Israeli and Italian spies. Corriere della Sera speculates there was some operation related to Russian oligarchs going on.
La missione degli 007 naufragati nel Lago Maggiore: in abiti casual al pranzo nel locale stellato (https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/lombardia/23_giugno_01/barca-affondata-nel-lago-maggiore-i-misteri-degli-007-e-l-ipotesi-di-spionaggio-sui-magnati-russi-7c23db43-b2ed-4ed4-8b31-58f33191dxlk.shtml)