Italy's Malaise and Political Cowardice: The Social Quarrel Over Venice and Matera

The article critiques Italian political culture through the lens of recent natural disasters in Venice (acqua alta) and Matera (nubifragio). It argues that Italian politicians operate within short-term horizons—one to three years, at most five—preventing long-term urban and territorial planning. This leads to a cycle of emergency spending rather than maintenance or strategic investment. The public's discontent, expressed through social media outrage and local protests, paradoxically provides politicians with an alibi to avoid proactive governance. Only during emergencies can politicians implement infrastructure projects for which funds were already allocated, bypassing opposition from interest groups. The piece identifies three protagonists: Venice with its high water, Matera with its storm, and a divided Italy of malcontent. It criticizes the lack of genuine democracy and citizenship, where outrage is reduced to hashtags and politicians await the next crisis. The author, Stefano Monti, partner at Monti&Taft, specializes in management and strategic positioning.