Canadian Professor named Italian Junior Minister of Agriculture... then not.

December 2, 2011 5:14 AM

In "a comedy of errors", a professor of business at Canada's University of Guelph was accidentally named the Junior Minister of Agriculture for Italy. An interview with Professor Francesco Braga tells the confusing story. It turns out the Prime Minister's office had meant to name Professor Franco Braga, of Sapienza – Università di Roma, to the post.
posted by knile (12 comments total)

Oh, Italia. Well, perhaps, as a Junior Minister, he could've made the earthquakes run on time.
posted by converge at 5:24 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

Words cannot express how upset I am that the scene from The Pope Must Die where a small-town priest, played by Robbie Coltrane, gets elected pontiff by mistake because the papal secretary is hard of hearing and mishears Albinizi for Albini. Curse you, internet!
posted by Kattullus at 5:29 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

And Franco Braga appeared none too pleased and unwilling to accept, the Canadian Braga said.

“As of today, the guy has not been sworn in. The media can’t find him.”

The Prime Minister’s office explained briefly Thursday: “Everything is as it should be. He (Franco Braga) will be sworn in in a few days.”

This has raised the old chestnut of "if nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve" to dizzying heights.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:30 AM on December 2, 2011

Also, doesn't Italian law recognize the principle of "no backsies?"
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:31 AM on December 2, 2011 [1 favorite]

This reads like an early SNL "Weekend Update" bit.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:37 AM on December 2, 2011

Also, doesn't Italian law recognize the principle of "no backsies?"

Obviously. Well, now, at least.
posted by converge at 5:43 AM on December 2, 2011

*Realizes that "Torino" and "Toronto" sound very similar when spoken in the local dialect*

*Awaits ministerial appointment in Italy*





*Receives ministerial appointment in Albania*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:44 AM on December 2, 2011 [3 favorites]

Man, the Ghibellenes must be pissed.
posted by yoink at 6:28 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]

Words cannot express how upset I am that the scene from The Pope Must Die where a small-town priest, played by Robbie Coltrane, gets elected pontiff by mistake because the papal secretary is hard of hearing and mishears Albinizi for Albini. Curse you, internet!

You're upset that the scene does what, exactly?
posted by lumensimus at 8:35 AM on December 2, 2011 [4 favorites]

Curses be upon you, long meandering sentences! The words missing from that comment were: "is missing from the internet." Yes, I am aware of the irony.
posted by Kattullus at 8:43 AM on December 2, 2011

I'm looking forward to the National Post story on how he is now eligible for an Italian pension.
posted by srboisvert at 1:34 PM on December 2, 2011

I have to say, I'm not surprised. There is another researcher with the same first and last name as mine and we publish a similar amount. My areas tend to be cancer screening, prevention, and etiology and his energy metabolism, but that doesn't keep people from being confused. I've received invitations to conferences in his area and even reimbursement checks for consulting he's done. And vice versa.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:32 AM on December 3, 2011