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 the Press, Freedom of Religion, Judicial Independence and Electoral Participation. Between 2019-2024, it has experienced notable declines in Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press. Italy, one of the world’s largest economies, is distinguished by its strengths in business and financial services, agricultural and industrial production, scientific innovation and information technology, tourism, 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. 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 and civil society, including the use of spyware, suppression of peaceful resistance, growing political influence over the media, and instances of 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.
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. In 2025, court rulings expanded some LGBTQIA+ parenthood rights.
Looking ahead, it will be crucial to monitor Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Expression and Civil Society 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: July 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
August 2025
ECJ ruling further challenges Italy-Albania asylum-seekers detention deal
On 1 August, the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that while Italy (and other EU member states) may decide which countries are ‘safe’ for the return of asylum-seekers to their countries of origin, such designations must meet strict legal standards and be open to challenge with accessible evidence. The Court added that a country cannot be deemed ‘safe’ if it fails to provide adequate protection to its entire population. This comes after months of disputes between the Italian judiciary and the Italian government, as well as the transfer of migrants from Italy to costly, mostly inactive Italian-funded asylum centers in Albania, which have turned into repatriation centers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the ruling, saying it weakens efforts to curb mass illegal immigration. The future of these centres remains unclear. Amnesty International described the ruling as a major setback for the Italy-Albania deal, which they argue outsources asylum processing at the expense of migrant and refugee rights.
Sources: International IDEA, Court of Justice of the European Union, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, Rai News, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
June 2025
The Senate approves security bill targeting peaceful resistance
On 4 June, the Senate approved a security decree amending the penal code, criminalizing passive resistance, non-violent road blockages, and resisting police in prison or migrant centers. The decree also tightens control in prisons and migrant detention centers, classifying hunger strikes and sit-ins as potentially punishable acts. Protest-related road or railway blockages are now punishable by prison terms of up to six months.
Presented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a vital step forward in the protection of vulnerable citizens and law enforcement, the decree has been widely condemned by critics as an excessive crackdown on civil disobedience and public assembly. International bodies, including the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and several UN Special Rapporteurs, expressed concern during the legislative process. The decree entered into effect on 10 June.
Sources: International IDEA, Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, Euractiv, Human Rights Center Antonio Papisca, Council of Europe
May 2025
Court rulings expand LGBTQIA+ parenthood rights
On 22 May, Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex female couples who had IVF abroad can both be legally recognized as parents, partially overturning a 2004 law, which limits access to medically assisted reproduction only to heterosexual couples facing infertility. The Court said denying recognition to the non-biological mother violates constitutional principles of equality, personal identity, and the child’s right to both parents. However, the ruling, stemming from a case by a lesbian couple in Lucca, did not change Italy’s IVF restrictions, which remain limited to heterosexual couples. A separate ruling on the same day allowed gay parents to legally adopt children born via surrogacy abroad, if the child was born before a 2024 law that criminalized surrogacy. The Court ruled that the law does not apply retroactively to children born before its enactment.
Sources: Euractiv, Pagina 12, Corriere della Sera, International IDEA
March 2025
Parliamentary committee investigates spyware use targeting journalists and activists
The parliamentary intelligence oversight committee (Copasir) is investigating allegations that activists and investigative journalists were targeted with spyware developed by the Israel-based company Paragon, and the extent of government involvement. The inquiry aims to assess whether the surveillance complied with Italian law and whether intelligence services acted within their legal mandate. Copasir will present its findings to Parliament. Although hearings are classified, Italian media reported in March that the official overseeing intelligence agencies admitted the government had approved surveillance of certain activists as part of a “preventive investigation into illegal immigration.” The official reportedly said Mediterranea Saving Humans, which rescues migrants in the Mediterranean, was classified as a national security threat. On 5 February, the government confirmed that seven unnamed WhatsApp users were targeted but denied involvement.
Update: A 9 June Copasir report concluded spyware was ‘lawfully’ used against Mediterranean activists, not for their human rights work but for their suspected irregular immigration activities. According to the report, Italian intelligence contracted Paragon in 2023 and 2024 but ended ties after the April 2025 media backlash. The report highlights that only a few individuals were targeted, all with a prosecutor’s approval.
Sources: International Federation of Journalists, Council of Europe, The Guardian, Euractiv, la Repubblica (1), la Repubblica (2), il Fatto Quotidiano, Euractiv, Italian Senate, Euractiv, Ansa, Amnesty International
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