In Italy, a proposed constitutional change by Ms. Meloni has sparked a heated debate over the future of democracy in the country. The proposal would automatically give the party with the highest number of votes, currently her Brothers of Italy party, 55 percent of the seats in Parliament. While Meloni argues that this would make Italian governments more stable, opponents fear it could pave the way for a future autocrat.
Drawing comparisons to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been criticized for his authoritarian tendencies, the proposal has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in Italy. Political scientist Ms. Tocci warns that if constraints loosen, leaders like Meloni could show their true colors, especially if emboldened by the actions of figures like former US President Donald Trump and Orban.
However, the rise of the right is not a foregone conclusion, as seen in Poland where a protest movement led to the ousting of the nationalist Law and Justice party in a recent election. This shift demonstrates the resilience of democracies and the power of citizens to push back against authoritarian tendencies.
As the debate rages on, the words of Victor Hugo ring true: “Nothing is more imminent than the impossible.” The future of democracy in Italy and across Europe remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the fight for freedom and human rights is far from over.
