During the Republican period in Ancient Rome, in times of military rather than economic crisis, or to quell a revolt, one of the consuls (in agreement with the other and with the Roman Senate), appointed a Dictator, or the one who would have assumed full powers in order to remedy the emergency. The Dictatordespite full powers, he could not change the laws to establish an autocratic regime, and in any case he remained in office for a maximum of six months.
Two days ago, the Hungarian parliament gave Prime Minister Orban full powers to allow him to adopt faster security measures (possibility foreseen by Art.53 of the Constitution), in order to contrast the spread in the country of COVID-19.
The European Union has labeled this provision as a cessation of democracy in Hungary. Supported by the usual media (including many national ones), he put the Hungarian parliament's legislative act under observation.
As if the application of a constitutional rule, submitted to parliamentary vote, was the opposite of democracy.
With us instead we went having for decrees of the President of the Council of Ministers (so said it is all much more democratic). The Italian parliament, in an atmosphere of September 8, seemed to have dissolved.
In reality, this epidemic crisis is demonstrating the absolute inadequacy of Italian institutional architecture (Article 77 of the Italian Constitution: the government cannot, without delegation from the chambers, issue decrees that have the value of ordinary law. When in extraordinary cases of necessity and urgency, the Government adopts, under its responsibility, provisional measures with the force of law, it must present them the same day to the Chambers ...).
Once the emergency is over, a parliamentary debate will be needed that can lead us to a real reform (not like the useless cut of deputies and senators), which affects the form of a Republic, no longer parliamentary but presidential. With a leader of the Executive elected by the people, or a figure who is endowed with the powers to govern, even in normal situations, thus avoiding straight straight juggles put on the armchairs by agreements between parties.
Photo: Magyarország Kormánya
