Italian Mayor Releases Prohibition on...Dying?

In terms of history and beauty, very few countries can compare with Italy.

But that doesn’t mean it’s immune to the modern-day struggles of the rest of Europe.  A bad economy combined with socialist programs has left the country broke and desperate.

The latest in the plight of the Italians?  In one town, Falciano del Massico, the mayor has been forced to issue a tongue-in-cheek prohibition on dying, since his town and another are feuding over cemetery land.  The "ban" has been in effect since the start of the month.

"The ordinance has brought happiness," Mayor Giulio Cesare Fava said Tuesday, "Unfortunately, two elderly citizens disobeyed."

Falciano del Massico is located 30 miles outside of Naples, and has a population of 3,700 people.

Italy is famous for another land feud, which left the citizens of Naples knee deep in trash for years.  At the time, no one could agree on how to dispose of the trash (and the mafia's influence in the industry didn't make it any easier).

Check out this EuroNews "No Comment" clip of Naples' dilemma: