While Cossiga's statement here is, I think, true,  Cossiga himself is a bizarre figure, supported at times by the Communists and at times by the real (the Alessandra-Mussolini line) Fascists of Missini, and recently given to suggesting that the 9/11 attacks were an “inside” job (CIA, Mossad, I soliti ignoti) a referendum should be held in part of the Alto Adige to see if it should be re-incorporated into Austria even given independence (a suggeston that got nowhere). He's slightly or more than slightly nutty, but one of those figures -- like Andreotti, like Moro, like the Eveready-bunny-rabbit Fanfani -- who just keep on appearing in Italian politics, through the decades, now in this position, and now in that, and holding now this position on a matter, and now that.

 

But what do you expect in a country where Mike Bongiorno and Pippo Baudo, after more than a half-century of Italian television under their respective belts and toupees, can still appear regularly? No term limits. Sometimes it can be soothing. Sometimes not.