Food for thoughts : Italian reflection about democracy
If someone asks you: whats the challenge of the democracy in your country, are you ready to answer?
The base of our democratic system is established by the principles in the Constitution: the main law of the Italian Republic, on the top of the hierarchy of sources of law.
The Constitution of the Italian Republic (Costituzione della Repubblica Italiana) was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 December 1947. The text, which has been emended 15 times, was promulgated in the straordinary edition of Gazzetta Ufficiale on 27 December 1947. The constituent assembly was elected by universal suffrage on 2 June 1946, at the same time as a referendum on the abolition of the monarchy.The constitution came into force on 1 January 1948 and is composed of 139 articles and arranged in three main parts: Principi Fondamentali, the Fundamental Principles ( articles 1-12); Diritti e Doveri del cittadino, Rights and Duties of Citizens ( articles 13-54); Ordinamento della Repubblica, Organisation of the Republic ( articles 55-139) followed by 18 Disposizioni transitori e finali, the Transitory and Final Provisions.
In order to make it virtually impossible to replace with a dictatorial regime, it is difficult to modify the Constitution; to do so (under Article 138) requires two readings in each House of Parliament and, if the second of these are carried with a majority (i.e. more than half) but less than two-thirds, a referendum. Under Article 139, the republican form of government cannot be reviewed.
The biggest constitutional referendum was held in 2001.Voters were asked whether they approved of amending the constitution to give more powers to the regions in issues including agriculture, education, healthcare and taxation. The proposals were approved by 64.2% of voters. Another constitutional reform was held in 2006 during Silvio Berlusconi government in order to give more power to the Prime Minister, but was rejected.
Last referendum and probably the most famous was on Sunday 4 December 2016, proposed by Matteo Renzi government, about the reformation of the composition and powers of the Parliament of Italy, as well as the division of powers between the State, the regions, and administrative entities. So, the core of the reform was to replace the “perfect bicameralism”with an “asymmetric” bicameralism, regarding both the Senate’s composition and its functions.
This proposal has ignited an intense debate that ended with the victory of “ NO” at the ballot box.
The referendum was the occasion to analize that Democracy is facing many new challenges in Italy and abroad.
To begin with, we wish to recall the ancient issue related to voters’ awareness both during election periods and afterwards, during the activities of the Government. Usually, voters approach elections without having a fair knowledge of the issues on the table. There are a few solutions that have been proposed: for instance, the introduction of a preliminary activity which helps citizens to better understand what they are going to vote for. But,how we can put it into practice?
Another challenge worth mentioning is the lack of a strong role of union trades, other social bodies and associations that can facilitate the relationship between citizens and institutions. Also, often constitutional Institutions are not democratic as their members are not always elected by citizens. For example, since 2013 the Italian Prime Minister has not been nominated by citizens, as both Letta, Renzi and Gentiloni have been chosen by political parties along with other constitutional bodies (Presidente della Repubblica), in order to obtain a qualifying majority in the first vote in parliament.
Next, the issue related to the construction of a European spirit is a great challange nowadays, both for Italy and other countries. Western countries are experiencing the rising of nationalist political groups (Salvini, Le Penne, Hofer, Trump, Farage). Probably such a new political framework is the sign of some new challenges that Western countries are experiencing (e.g. immigration, terrorism, etc…) which are alarming these countries in an embarrassing way.
The Majority wins, that’s democratic; but many times this is not “warranty of justice”.
It is sad to recall the episode happened in October 2016: 12 women, one of whom was pregnant, and eight minors who were with them, all asylum seekers, were travelling to Gorino, where they were supposed to stay till the procedures for the recognition of their state of refugees would be recognized. Local people, who were against of the stay of these women in their town, organized a sit-in and blocked the roads so as to make it impossible for the women to arrive. The most critical side of the story is that the protest was efficient: the asylum seekers were not able to reach the town and Prefect was forced to opt for a different solution.
Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told the La7 radio station:
“We can find all the excuses we want, but this is not Italy. Italy is the young people of Naples who help the rescuers on the pier when migrants arrive, or the Lampedusa doctor Pietro Bartolo,”
he said, referring to a doctor who helps migrant arrivals in Sicily.
And we strongly believe in this Italy.
Authors: Ludovica Cucchiara, Floriana Costa, Carla Pisi e Federica Giordano
