Italy’s mafia poses a threat to democracy beyond crime syndicates and drug trade

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Last month, an Italian administrative court confirmed the dissolution of the city administration of Neviano, a city in Puglia, due to mafia influence. This issue, while not widely covered in the media, is a common occurrence in Italy where mafia infiltration in local governance is a serious problem.

Organized crime in Italy today goes beyond the Hollywood portrayal of gangland shootouts. From public works contracts to small-town decisions, mafia influence and corruption affect all levels of local government, posing a threat to democracy. Puglia, the host of this week’s Group of Seven summit, ranks fourth in the number of mafia-infiltrated administrations.

The Sacra Corona Unita (SCU), the local mafia in Puglia, is the youngest and smallest among Italy’s organized crime groups. Initially involved in contraband, it has evolved into drug trafficking and extortion, focusing on laundering profits and infiltrating the local public administration to secure lucrative contracts.

Corruption by organized crime groups is a widespread issue in Europe, according to Europol, undermining the rule of law and economic development. This ongoing threat to democracy is a topic of investigation by the Associated Press and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.