Just a few months ago, Giorgia Meloni stated that "the government is in place and would remain in office until the end of its term: there is no intention of reshuffling or calling early elections." It would be legitimate, and not just curious, to ask whether now, as then, this statement is still valid regardless, or whether it is simply the longest-serving government. However, it would perhaps be more accurate to say that the majority party of the governing coalition is simply waiting to pass the long-awaited new electoral law before the big leap (if one may allow the use of the metaphorical expression), believing it will somehow gain an advantage. Considering that the other minority coalition parties may not enjoy the same fate, it is perhaps more accurate to say that the majority party of the governing coalition is simply waiting to pass the long-awaited new electoral law before the big leap (if one may allow the use of the metaphorical expression).
Granted, and even uncontested, that this could be the case: given the wide-ranging variables that characterize every election, starting with the abstention rate figures, which always manage to throw up unexpected surprises. The international scenario also profoundly impacts the domestic situation. And this circumstance represents not just a limitation, but the primary limitation. This same scenario would also require urgent measures at the domestic level to safeguard the purchasing power of the entire population, who eat, work, and pay taxes and who, therefore, await concrete results.
Giorgia Meloni and her government are therefore facing a complex period, marked by tensions over the next economic plan, which, while difficult to implement, must, by general expectation, necessarily benefit citizens. Inflation and the high cost of living must be addressed. This must be said regardless of the fact that, as noted by many, the current government majority has not kept its campaign promises. The Meloni government took office at a time marked by war, first in Ukraine and then in the Middle East (Gaza, Iran, Lebanon), which has significantly impacted the so-called wartime economic situation that still persists. Italy's current international political position, paradoxically, would appear to further limit its room for maneuver in addressing the crisis. The opposition, for its part, cannot simply focus on highlighting what the government should have or should have done for Italians. They should at least develop the awareness that if they were to govern after Giorgia Meloni, they would have to implement everything they accuse the current government of failing to do, and they should do so without further increasing the tax burden (which should be significantly reduced) for any income bracket.
With Donald Trump's presidency, we have witnessed (at least that's the impression one gets) a progressive drift between the specific interests of the United States and those of the European Union, Italy evidently included. This would require a great deal of courage even to admit the need to revise the terms of the alliance. The priority today is not the Electoral Law, but rather finding a compromise between the majority and opposition forces to create a renewed national unity government capable of leading Italy out of the economic crisis and working diplomatically to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the Middle East conflict.
Giuseppina Di Salvatore
Lawyer, Nuoro
