Italy is experiencing a surge in grassroots democracy, with over 100 national initiatives and referendums launched in just four years. The revival is anchored on a state-run digital signature collection system and powered by the country’s electronic ID (e-ID) system. While broadening participation, the platforms are not without challenges. Until recently, launching a popular initiative or a legislative referendum in Italy required not just a well-organised network of supporters but also deep pockets. “Every single signature had to be certified by a notary and officially validated by local authorities,” says Riccardo Fraccaro, a 44-year-old lawyer from the northern Italian town of Trento. Fraccaro’s frustration with the system eventually took him to the heart of government. In 2018, he became the world’s first – and so far, only – minister for direct democracy under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. During his 15-month tenure, he worked to dismantle the legal and bureaucratic hurdles ...
