Barataria (Oct 2008)
Italy’s case: Migrating boom and political crisis. Reflections on a sick country / Il caso Italia tra boom migratorio e crisi politica. Riflessioni su un paese malato
Abstract
The legislative elections in Italy witnessed the success of radical political groups extremely opposed to immigration and specially inclined to intolerant slogans, such as the Northern League (Lega Nord) and other extreme right forces; results reveal many contradictions existing in a society in need of immigrants which, at the same time, finds it difficult to accept them. The country’s long transition, begun in 1992, is still far from ending, and the crisis -political, financial and social- seems to turn Italian citizens into more cruel people. Can a country with over 60 million inhabitants suddenly loose, in a short period of time, its historical memory? Meanwhile, in a context of prejudice and associations opposed to the presence of new mosques, in fear of future invasions and legislative disorder, the number of foreigners in Italy is not as high as it is thought of, and many relevant sectors in economy demand the arrival of more immigrants. The integration is longed for but not yet achived.
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