The Principle of Solidarity Within the Italian Constitution. Recent Issues and Developments in the European Context.

Abstract

The Constitution of the Italian Republic asserts the principle of solidarity in a particularly evident manner and marks one of the clearest instances and one of the most strongly enshrined manifestations of that principle within Europe. The centrality and pervasive way this watchword of the contemporary political and legal lexicon is used takes on a particular depth in the light of the immense tragedy of the migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, who for several years now have been knocking on the doors of Europe day after day, with a profound effect on the Old Continent. The word solidarity has taken on an even more dramatic depth since Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression against its peaceful neighbour, Ukraine, resulting in a significant armed conflict in Europe and an increase in the number of refugees and asylum-seekers from Ukraine. In contrast to the weak and uncertain European solidarity towards those migrants who reach its southern boundaries, the EU’s solidarity towards the Ukrainian people has been clear and evident.