Italy
The Republic of Italy exhibits high-range performance in all categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework, except for Rule of Law, where it performs in the mid-range. It is amongst the top 25 per cent in the world with regard to its performance in all factors, except for Freedom of Religion and Electoral Participation. Between 2018-2023, it has experienced notable declines in Freedom of Expression, although it remains in the high range. Italy, one of the world’s largest economies, is distinguished by its strengths in business and financial services, agricultural and industrial production, scientific research and information technology, as well as tourism and luxury fashion and design.
Italy, the birthplace of ancient Roman civilization, unified in 1861 through the Risorgimento, a 19th-century movement that consolidated the Italian states into the Kingdom of Italy. In 1922, Benito Mussolini rose to power, establishing a fascist regime. Italy joined World War II on Germany’s side but switched allegiance in 1943 after Mussolini was overthrown. The monarchy was abolished in 1946, and a new constitution was established in 1948. Although Italy has experienced some recent political stability, the country has been characterized by instability and complex governance arrangements. High political party volatility has been the norm since the 1990s, when the party system collapsed due to the Tangentopoli scandal. Italian politics remains highly personalized; however, recent developments indicate a strengthening of the traditional left-right divide within the political system. The North-South divide has long been a key issue in Italian politics and economy, with lingering ethno-regionalism and the South feeling consistently disadvantaged compared to the wealthier North. Demographic crisis of an ageing population and its economic effects further present a pressing issue for politics, in particular the debates about the Italian pension system. Corruption remains a key concern, particularly high-level corruption and politicians’ ties with organised crime groups. There are also worries about the environment for journalists, including the use of defamation laws against them, increasing political influence and control of the media, as well as censorship and intimidation.
Euroscepticism became a key issue following strict fiscal policies from Eurozone membership, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Eurozone debt crisis, which many blamed for exacerbating economic struggles, especially in the South. The migration crisis intensified Euroscepticism, especially among right-wing parties, as many believed the EU left Italy to manage the burden alone. Italy's migration reforms, often perceived as discriminatory, alongside targeting of migrants and reports of labour exploitation, compounded the issue. The country also grapples with anti-Roma violence, social invisibility, and discrimination.
Italy has a high-performance in Gender Equality according to the GSoD Indices. Yet, misogyny, femicide and gender-based violence remain widespread. The country also struggles with gender inequalities in political representation, education and labour force. While same-sex relationships and civil unions are legal, same-sex marriage is not, and there is a growing trend of restricting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Looking ahead, it will be crucial to monitor Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression due to reported challenges faced by journalists. Social Group Equality is another important area to observe, especially in light of anti-migrant rhetoric and restrictions on LGBTQIA+ rights. Finally, attention should be given to the Rule of Law, particularly the Absence of Corruption, in view of Italy's ongoing issues with corruption and organized crime.
Last updated: August 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
September 2024
Chamber of Deputies approves security bill, targeting peaceful resistance
On 18 September, the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of Parliament) approved a security bill that introduces changes to the penal code. If passed, it will create up to 20 new offences and increase prison sentences. It would criminalize passive resistance, non-violent road blockages, and resisting police in prison or migrant centers. Penalties for property damage during violent protests would also increase. Off-duty police officers would be allowed to carry weapons without a license and wider surveillance in prisons and detention centers would be introduced. Pregnant women and women with children under one year old would no longer be exempt from prison. The bill has drawn strong criticism from the opposition, activists (especially from environmental and labour rights groups), civil society, and the judiciary, with one prosecutor warning it could return Italy to authoritarian-era criminal laws. The bill requires Senate approval as a next step.
Sources: il Post, Giurisprudenza Penale (1), Giurisprudenza Penale (2), Giurisprudenza Penale (3), El Pais, Politico
July 2024
Migrant farm worker’s death exposes immigrant labour exploitation
The death of a 31-year-old Indian farm worker, who was allegedly abandoned by his employer on a roadside near Rome after losing an arm in a machinery accident, has sparked outrage over immigrant rights and issues of labour exploitation and modern slavery. Politicians and trade unions have broadly condemned the incident. In response, Labor Minister Marina Calderone announced an increase in labour inspectors, promising to double the number of inspections conducted in recent years. Exploitation of migrant workers, particularly undocumented ones, has become widespread, with mafia-led practices (caporalato) being a significant issue. Recently, the Italian Competition Authority has also probed luxury brands over alleged worker exploitation.
Sources: Politico, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (1), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (2). Il Fatto Quotidiano, Financial Times
February 2024
Senate approves controversial detention deal with Albania
On 15 February, the Senate approved a deal between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, which will lead to the transfer of asylum seekers rescued at sea by Italian authorities to Italian-funded detention centers in Albania. Women, children and individuals deemed “vulnerable” will be exempt from the centers, sparking concerns about potential family separations. Experts and rights groups say the deal breaches international law, has legal ambiguities and will likely impact protection of rights. On 22 February, the deal was ratified by the Albanian parliament. The deal was praised by PM Meloni as a show of European solidarity and was backed by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The center-left opposition has criticized the deal as a costly propaganda move ahead of the European Parliament elections and a “shameful attempt” to turn Albania into Italy's version of "Guantanamo." While the Albanian Constitutional Court said Albanian law would apply in the centers, PM Meloni stated they would fall under Italian jurisdiction.The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights warned the deal “will likely undermine crucial human rights safeguards.”
Sources: Reporter.al, Euronews, Euronews Albania, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata , Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Verfassungsblog, International IDEA
Supreme Court rules sending migrants back to Libya is illegal
The Supreme Court of Cassation, the country’s top court, ruled that sending sea migrants back to Libya is illegal. The Court upheld the conviction of the captain of an Italian boat, who in 2018 rescued 101 migrants, including pregnant women and children and returned them to Libya. The captain was sentenced to one year in prison for abandoning minors or incapacitated persons, and for arbitrary disembarkation and abandonment of individuals. However, he is unlikely to serve jail time, as in the Italian legal system, sentences under four years are typically not served behind bars. The route from Libya to Italy is among the most frequented sea migration paths. Rights groups hailed the ruling as a legal precedent affirming their assertion that Libya is not a safe country, and that cooperating with Libya contradicts the obligation to transport rescued individuals to a secure location.
Sources: Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, Africa News, Reuters
December 2023
Chamber of Deputies votes controversial amendment deemed as “gag law”
The Chamber of Deputies (lower house of parliament) approved an amendment banning “full or extract publication of the text of the precautionary custody order until the conclusion of the preliminary investigation or until the end of the preliminary hearing.” The amendment, backed by right-wing parties and centrists from Azione, gives the government the power to change Article 114 of the Criminal Procedure Code. As a next step, approval from the Senate (upper house of parliament) is required for the amendment to go into effect. According to Enrico Costa (centrist opposition party Azione), who has proposed the amendment, the media can summarize and report about the content of precautionary custody orders, but they cannot publish the procedural document verbatim, especially if it contains wiretaps and unverified information. Legal experts noted the uncertainty lies in the term "extract" since it can refer to either a fraction or a summary. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni links the amendment to the European Directive on the presumption of innocence. Journalists have protested against what they call the “gag law.” Regional journalists' association presidents and the European Federation of Journalists have labelled it a threat to the public's right to be informed.
Sources: Parlamento Italiani, la Repubblica, Italian Government, Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana, European Federation of Journalists, Domani, il Fatto Quotidiano (1), il Fatto Quotidiano (2), il Fatto Quotidiano (3), Il Dubbio, Pagella Politica
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
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Global State of Democracy Indices
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