First Republic (Italy)

"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."

"[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."

"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."

"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."

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

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

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

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

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