In the sixties on buses and trains in Rome we used to witness discussions between passengers regarding the past, present and future of Italy, in which it was common to hear a question or statement ¿Fascisti erano tutti? or ¡Tutti erano fascisti! They were also pronounced at the “Universita degli Studi di Roma”, with the concern of those of us who had come from other countries in search of learning something more, since the lawsuits led to the closure of the respective faculties.
It did not stop alarming, then, that history conceived the “Roman Empire” as “the most extensive socio-political structure in the West”, which led Emperor Diocletian, in order to overcome the difficulties of governing it from Rome, to create one in the East and another in the West. But, also, as admirers of the deep cultural influence of Rome, it was assumed that “the fascism of Benito Mussolini”, like that of his “comrade” Adolph Hitler in Germany, had been forgotten as a legend of which the world, without exceptions, he swore that it would never happen again. Whoever remembered that sad chapter of humanity humiliated himself and despised whoever discovered himself as the promoter of it. And with the worst epitaphs.
In the countries of Latin America by then, what Samuel Huntingdon from his Harvard Professorship ended up calling “democratic waves” had been generated, identified as “sudden changes with respect to the distribution of power among the great powers, which creates both opportunities as incentives to introduce radical reforms” in favor of respect for sovereignty and civil liberties. This justifies that those of us who had the good or bad luck of listening to those discussions and denials or confirmations regarding the opprobrious fascism, we were surprised by the usual lawsuits of the Italians. It seemed simply unheard of.
But the story is surprising, because almost four decades later, that is, in 2022, Italy, one of the most politicized countries on the globe, sacrifices Mario Draghi, as Prime Minister, before the look of anguish that Sergio Mattarella must have expressed, elected president for a second term by Parliament and regional representatives in joint session, in accordance with the Constitution. The “Peninsula” did not escape the traditional methodology of a Constituent Assembly elected by the people, directly or indirectly, for the elaboration of “the Supreme Law”. His “Disposizioni transitorie e finali” leave behind the monarchy for a “Republica”, the hypothetical abolition of the fascist party and the exile of “the royal family”. No person was legitimized, more on the contrary, fell on all the constitutional prohibition to aspire to any monarchical hierarchy. The Italians, it must be taken into account to understand them well, that throughout the discussions between them they verbally express a disagreement, but in the end they end up understanding each other. And despite the complexity and peculiarities of the political regime that governs them.
The scenario, it could be affirmed, seems to reveal that “fascism has eternal life. Never Dies”. Recently, in fact, protesters from the extreme right and heirs of Benito Mussolini took over the Government Palace in an attitude like the one that took place not long ago near the Capitol in the US, with attacks on the police, tear gas, unleashed violence and stormed the headquarters of the main union in Italy, which they left destroyed. This happened in front of the beard of the still Prime Minister Draghi and the Head of State Mattarella himself. Evidence and I do not count to affirm Tutti erano fascisti! And perhaps, much more suitable to ask ourselves and even with surprise: Fascisti erano tutti? Today old Rome was weeping, pertinent appreciation resorting to metaphors.
But the most worrying thing is that the chapter does not end with those first tears, since the Italians have just voted for the elegant Georgia Meloni as prime minister, who is linked to Matteo Salvini, perhaps the most stale ultra-right in Europe. The Catalan journalist Daniel Verdu, when referring to the latter, questions the violence, but arguing the reasonableness of whose health, rights, freedom and work should be protected. The giornalista adds that it is about Salvini’s reiterated reasoning in an attempt to overcome the loss of support in the extreme right. It is not disposable, therefore, to wonder, in the face of so much confusion, if the “Giorgia & Matteo” duo does not start shouting from the next government won by Meloni: Heil Hitler! We do not know if the cry would be accompanied by “the raising of the right arm”.
The contradiction, evident. Well, as we read, Italy at the regional level is the third largest economy in “the eurozone” and “the eighth” largest worldwide. In spite of an external debt of 1989 million US$, approximately.
The BBC points out that Giorgia Meloni is the first far-right prime minister, after Benito Mussolini. And Marco Masillo, president of the Abruzzo Region has stated that she has the courage of a lion!
Italy, despite its regrets, seems to be fortunate that everything is going well for it. It is no longer a hope.
Ironically, perhaps for this reason, an Italian responds like this when asked about his land:
¡E un dissatro, pero si mangia molto bene!
@LuisBGuerra
“The opinions published here are the sole responsibility of their author.”
