First Republic (Italy)

First Republic of Italy is an Italian journalistic expression referring to the political system of the Italian Republic in force between 1946 and 1994.

Quotes about

B

It was not the judges in the trials, but the voters at the polls who brought down the party system of the First Republic, which had been discredited, and forced the ruling class to change, at least in appearance, the political landscape.

Gianni Barbacetto, Peter Gomez, and Marco Travaglio, Mani pulite 25 anni dopo, Paper First, 2017.

C

[In 1989] The first Italian republic has just celebrated its fortieth anniversary. That's not very long, but two generations have already lived with it. As the marriage vow says, Italians have shared its fortunes, for better or for worse. Worn out, reviled, mistreated, mocked, given up for dead a thousand times, our first republic reveals an unpredictable capacity for recovery and an unexpected vitality.

Gianni Corbi, L'avventurosa nascita della repubblica, Rizzoli, Milano, 1989. ISBN 88-17-85247-3, incipit.

D

Since the end of the First Republic, new ideas and people to carry them forward should have emerged. Instead [...] a great void was created and figures appeared on the political scene more for themselves than for anything else, starting with me.

Antonio Di Pietro, from an interview by Giovanna Casadio, Di Pietro: "Sì, Mani Pulite ha distrutto i grandi partiti e favorito quelli personali", REpubblica.it, 10 September 2017.

G

When asked by a journalist who the great politician was, Khrushchev, who was one in his own way, replied: “The one who promises to build bridges even where there are no rivers.” The First Republic had plenty of great politicians. Just look at the bridges built where there are not even streams or brooks.

Roberto Gervaso, Peste e corna, Newton & Compton Editori, Roma, 1996. ISBN 88-8183-349-2.

In the First Republic, there were more protagonists and more debate; today, there is only one party leader and his position.

Emilio Giannelli, from an interview by Giangiacomo Schiavi, «Ho fatto undicimila vignette. Quando Montanelli mi disse: lei non è bischero, è trischero», Corriere della Sera, 19 September 2022.

M

In light of what is happening in our country, we should regret not only the First Republic but also the Second.

Claudio Martelli, from an interview by Ignazio Dessi, L'allarme di Claudio Martelli: “Il proporzionale senza i partiti sarà un disastro. Renzi? Ha fatto la cicala”, Tiscali.it, 6 March 2017.

P

Let's not insult the First Republic; there is nothing else like it.

Paolo Cirino Pomicino, from an interview by Susanna Turco, «Non offendiamo la Prima Repubblica: quello che si vede oggi non ha nulla che le somigli», L'Espresso, 4 September 2019.

S

The First Republic tried to use cutlery at the table. These people eat with their hands and burp with satisfaction.

Michele Serra, "Fa più politica don Ciotti in un giorno che il Pd in un anno", ilfattoquotidiano.it, 19 September 2010.

Films

– Onorevole Berlinguer, Saragat ha dichiarato che con Moro è morta la Prima Repubblica. Lei che ne pensa?

– Non sono d'accordo con questo giudizio. La Prima Repubblica deve vivere e vivrà!

– Honorable Berlinguer, Saragat has declared that with Moro's death, the First Republic has died. What do you think?
– I disagree with that assessment. The First Republic must live and will live!

The Moro Affair.