Anxiety over post-fascism subsides during an Italian vacation period

Taking a Breather from Post-Fascism Fears in Italy

A Column by Thomas Schmoll

Anxieties about post-fascism vanish during Italian getaways

What makes me different from Greta? Unlike her, a solid citizen and the last true hedonist of our precious republic, I was not invited to the Republica this year, and could not utter riveting statements like: "Democracy is smoldering." Or: "He who controls the narratives, controls reality." Or: "We aim to create the good new times and exhibit that the future of democracy doesn't lie in the hands of algorithms." Or: "Build up, build up, free the new generation, build up. For a better future, free the new generation, build up." Thoughts that resonate with my intellectual prowess.

Politics and Ships

News Report: Israel blockades Greta Thunberg's sailing shipWhile I'm unsure of why I've been continuously overlooked, even neglected, by the Republica organizers, I bravely accept my ostracization. But I ponder what's wrong with me (and the world). Am I not woke enough because I begin emails with "Dear Sirs and Madams," find gendering unconventional, don't speak fluent High German, am too East German, too uninteresting, too unchanging - my grandfather was merely Austrian, yet I'm too insignificant, except that I strive here every two weeks to ascend the mount of enlightenment.

In contrast, the climate crusader Greta Thunberg was the "first major speaker" at the "re:publica25." This predicts further clout from her in the future. "At present, I am considering whether to spend my semester abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris or the Zurich University of the Arts," she declared. "Guidance for decision-making is appreciated."

Hail to the Alarmists!

With Germany's strength, the youth of the last, the very last, or the new generation must face such challenges. I'm content to offer advice. I find Switzerland too stiff and overly polished, Zurich excessively costly. I love France, Paris being my absolute favorite city. Therefore, my recommendation is Paris, despite the high cost. It's less porcelain-like than Zurich. I've been to Paris around 25 times, and I am always struck anew by the charm. Simply admiring Whistler's stunning portrait of his mother, Courbet's "The Origin of the World," and Caillebotte's floor scrubbers at the Musée d'Orsay warrants the trip. To counterbalance the climate, I only use public transport in Berlin and strive to minimize my flatulence.

Politics and Human Rights

News: Meloni requests review of Human Rights ConventionGiorgia Meloni, the right-wing leader of the Brothers of Italy party, won the Italian elections in 2025, raising concerns regarding her nationalist views. Reports suggested she was a neo-fascist, opposed the EU, and harbored grudges against Germany. Analysis concluded that she could rekindle fascism in Italy. Surprisingly, she campaigned for support for Ukraine, cultivated European-American cooperation, and criticized elites, woke ideologies, cancel culture, and critical media. Germans seemed unbothered, continuing to visit Italy as usual.

The fear of post-fascism dissipates when on vacation, I've noticed. Italy welcomes an increase in tourism every year, even with entrance fees for iconic sites like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. The spell of alarmism is momentarily broken when one indulges in personal experiences, such as snapping that selfie at the Vatican with the Pope or posing near the David in Florence.

Embracing Ambivalences

Alarm can be raised about inner harmony, one's political sensibilities before post-fascism in Germany, yet people persist in traveling to Italy. Protests against the AfD, omitting Trump's communication, and avoiding WhatsApp to bother the AfD members are acceptable. However, forgoing Italy? A temporary exception may be granted for post-fascism. Wouldn't it be marvelous to own a property just as the Italian riffraff passes? Plenty of one-euro shacks are tucked away in isolated spots. Everyone manages their ambivalences as best they can.

Real Estate Trends

Report: Italian Talents Attracted by Mortgages in GermanyDuring my travels, I observed daily German tourist onslaughts on trattorias and hiking trails in a small Italian village not far from Lake Como. Fascism's shadow maybe looming, but one can hardly suppose that I was the only German who hadn't voted for the AfD. For instance, three sympathetic women with feminist beliefs and a strong conviction that there are more than two genders deemed capitalism a spawn of post-fascist hell.

Italy remained familiar to me. In return, Berlin felt much the same. A teacher, for instance, reported a student's homophobic remark: "You're gay; stay away." A Green party member of parliament asserted that homophobia was deeply rooted in major societies, even in religious communities, schools, parliaments, and newsrooms. It is clear that this has nothing to do with Islam, yet the darkness lurks everywhere, even in Italy. Still, I'll return next spring, unless the Republic compels me to give a lecture on saving democracy.

Despite concerns about potential resurgence of fascist tendencies in Italy, the country's rich history, appealing culture, and picturesque landscapes continue to attract tourists, as evident by the daily influx of German tourists in quaint Italian villages.
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