At CILD, we are concerned about the premiership reform

Here at CILD we are deeply concerned over the recent approval of the premiership reform in the Senate. This reform, which provides for the direct election of the Prime Minister, represents a significant threat to the balance of powers enshrined within our Constitution.

This reform, which provides for the direct election of the Prime Minister, was Pushed with determination by Giorgia Meloni’s Government, the reform will lead to a dangerous centralisation of power, into the hands of a single political figure. The Italian Constitution, written after the defeat of fascism, was carefully designed to avoid exactly this: the concentration of power in the hands of a few. The Constituent Assembly, composed of individuals who had fought against authoritarianism, war and deprivation of freedom, ensured a system of checks and balances between the various powers of the state. The direct election of the Prime Minister risks undermining this balance, further reducing the political and representative role of Parliament, and increasing the risk of authoritarian drift.

The speed with which the reform was approved, without adequate parliamentary debate, also raises serious doubts about the transparency and legitimacy of the decision-making process. Opposition party leaders have already expressed serious concerns about the consequences of this reform on Italian democracy.

Moreover, the reform could also provoke further polarisation of the political landscape, leading to greater encouragement of divisions and conflicts. This reform will pave the way for further negative changes to the institutional and democratic structure of our rule of law.

We are facing a critical moment for our democratic institutions, which must be defended for the well-being of the entire civil society.