Italy marks 80 years of the Republic with military parade and calls for renewed ambition

A historic anniversary

Italy celebrated the 80th anniversary of its Republic on 2 June 2026, commemorating the 1946 referendum in which Italians, including women voting for the first time, chose to replace the monarchy with a republic. President Sergio Mattarella described the event as an unprecedented act of freedom, marking the nation's decision to leave behind the ruins of war and an oppressive totalitarian regime.

Eighty years have passed since that 2 June 1946, which marked the completion, by Italians, of an unprecedented act of freedom. With universal suffrage, women and men, together for the first time, decided to leave behind the rubble of war and the iniquities of an oppressive and totalitarian regime, to begin the reconstruction of a free, democratic, republican country.

Ceremonies at the Altare della Patria

The day began with the traditional homage at the Altare della Patria in Rome. President Mattarella, accompanied by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, laid a laurel wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Senate President Ignazio La Russa, and Chamber of Deputies President Lorenzo Fontana were also present. The moment was marked by the Italian national anthem and a flyover by the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team.

The military parade at the Fori Imperiali

President Mattarella arrived at the Fori Imperiali in a historic Lancia Flaminia, escorted by mounted Corazzieri, to review the military parade. The parade featured a wide array of units, including special forces. The Army's 4th Alpine Paratroopers Regiment "Ranger," specialised in mountain and arctic operations, marched alongside the Navy's Comsubin operational raiders group. The Air Force's 17th Wing raiders and the Carabinieri's Special Intervention Group (GIS), focused on counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, also took part. Specialised vehicles on display included the Army's Flyer 72 reconnaissance vehicles, the Navy's slow-speed torpedo known as the "maiale," and the GIS's Mars Liberator Ford 350 Crew Cab assault vehicle.

Mattarella's message on the Constitution and global security

In his message to Chief of Defence Staff Luciano Portolano, Mattarella stressed that the anniversary renews a collective commitment to the values of the Constitution, which he called a "common home" guaranteeing rights and duties of solidarity. He addressed current global challenges, stating that true peace cannot exist while threats persist and true well-being is impossible if any part of humanity lives in precariousness. He affirmed that Italy, alongside Europe, is working to restore the value of rules in international life to move beyond a phase of permanent conflict.

We are not merely celebrating a historical anniversary today, but a moment of high significance that renews the collective commitment to the affirmation, protection and full implementation of the values that form the core of our Constitution, a 'common home' that guarantees the life of our national community, our rights, while also calling us to our duties of solidarity.

Meloni calls for ambition and responsibility

Speaking on the sidelines of the celebrations, Prime Minister Meloni described the day as a celebration of gratitude, responsibility, and pride. She emphasised the need to honour those who built the nation and to ask what kind of Republic Italy wants to be tomorrow. She stated that the nation has all the credentials to be more ambitious and is proving itself despite difficulties. Asked about the situation in Lebanon, Meloni replied that the government is working on it almost daily.

I think it is a celebration of gratitude and responsibility. A celebration of gratitude because what we have today we must always remember that someone built it before us, with great stories and small daily gestures, with small choices by each person. And of responsibility because, after so many years, we must also ask ourselves what Republic we want to be tomorrow.