TIROLER TAGESZEITUNG, editorial: “Breaking taboos in South Tyrol”, by Peter Nindler

2024-01-08 21:00:32

Edition from Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Innsbruck (OTS) – In terms of ethnic politics, a state government with the post-fascists in South Tyrol is a tightrope walk, a five-party coalition is a risk. Governor Arno Kompatscher is entering his last, but probably most difficult, term of office.

In terms of content, the coalition pact in South Tyrol is between the People’s Party (SVP), the post-fascist Fratelli, the right-wing Lega, the La Civica citizens’ list and the Freedom Party. However, it is a breach of a taboo, an alliance with post-fascists, in contrast to the previous government with the Lega, is more than a community of convenience. Because under fascism, South Tyrol was only supposed to be Italian, and oppression was a totalitarian everyday occurrence.
However, the South Tyrolean People’s Party, which was significantly weakened in the state elections in October, had hardly any alternatives for forming a government. The coalition program itself contains no surprises or outliers. The preamble with the commitment to autonomy and Europe, to integration and the rejection of any form of totalitarianism, radicalism or fascism and National Socialism is also intended to emphasize the center in the coalition with the extreme right. But the discomfort remains. Also how it can work with five parties in the state government.
In any case, Governor Arno Kompatscher is under a lot of pressure in his third and final term in office: On the one hand, it makes a difference to work with the post-fascists under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome or to govern with them in South Tyrol. Especially in terms of popular politics. In addition, the SVP, which always emphasizes its claim to sole representation for the German minority in Italy, needs a German-speaking partner for the first time in the form of the Freedom Party.
Ultimately, Kompatscher has to trust in the unity within his own ranks in order for this to succeed in the five-party coalition. But the SVP has not yet digested the election defeat, chairman Philipp Achammer is wobbling. At least the liberal governor can be trusted to manage the political balancing act internally and externally while saving face. It cannot be ruled out that the coalition will fail in the last few meters due to personnel issues, but it is unlikely. New elections would be a risk. And Kompatscher would then have to justify why he failed to form a government.