Giorgia Meloni is pushing for a constitutional reform in Italy that could make her the most powerful Prime Minister in Europe. Critics fear a dangerous weakening of the separation of powers, and the opposition is up in arms. A look at history reveals the likelihood of success.
Recently, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni experienced the strain of loyalty in politics. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was full of praise for her „dear Giorgia“ until a group of European government leaders, including the German Chancellor, closed a deal on her re-election as Commission chief without Meloni. This left the Italian feeling slighted and without von der Leyen’s support in Parliament. A recent report on the rule of law from von der Leyen’s agency, which criticizes the Italian government for interfering with press freedom, further strained the relationship. Once hailed as a kingmaker, Meloni now appears isolated in Brussels. The Italian Prime Minister’s next moves will be closely watched to see if she will change course and act as a reliable partner. Critics suspect that the leader of a post-fascist party is trying to portray herself as moderate on the international stage while undermining the separation of powers in Italy in the background. This suspicion stems from her planned constitutional reform, which she calls the „mother of all reforms.“ Critics, however, fear a dangerous weakening of the Parliament and the President in favor of the Prime Minister.
The opposition is united in their opposition to the reform, criticizing the concentration of power in one person. While there is consensus that the system needs reform, the frequent changes in government and the resulting political disillusionment have hindered progress. Previous governments have attempted constitutional reforms, but they have failed. Meloni’s plan is seen as more profound than those of her predecessors, aiming to reshape the system towards a unique model in Europe. Many constitutional experts have warned against Meloni’s plan, fearing that it would give the Prime Minister excessive power and weaken the role of Parliament and the President.
Meloni’s planned judicial reform is also under scrutiny. While streamlining and digitizing the justice system is supported across party lines, the proposal to remove prosecutors from the independent Council of the Judiciary has raised concerns about the independence of prosecutors. Critics see this move as part of a larger effort to bring the judiciary under state control. Additionally, the restructuring of the state broadcaster RAI has raised questions about media freedom in Italy, with accusations of excessive political influence.
The EU Commission has expressed concerns about the state of press freedom in Italy and called for reforms to protect the independence of the state broadcaster. Attacks, harassment, and censorship have increased since Meloni’s government took office, according to reports. Meloni’s interventions in various areas, including justice, culture, and media, have been criticized for targeting independent institutions and individuals who oppose the government’s goals too strongly. Despite these criticisms, Meloni remains steadfast in her pursuit of the constitutional reform, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Parliament or another referendum.
In conclusion, Giorgia Meloni’s ambitious plans to overhaul the Italian constitution have sparked controversy and opposition. While she argues for stability and stronger democracy, critics fear a concentration of power in the hands of the Prime Minister. The path forward for Meloni’s reforms remains uncertain, with concerns about the impact on the separation of powers and democratic principles in Italy.