While the key recurrences for Italy’s and Portugal’s democratic transition happen to fall on the same calendar day (i.e. 25th of April,) their post-authoritarian political development points to substantial differences between the two countries. This paper will argue that such differences are explained by these countries’ divergent transitional justice experiences. Following WWII, Italy''s transitional justice regime failed to neutralize most actors associated with Fascist rule in both the public and the private sector; offered minimal obstacles to the emergence of anti-system parties; allowed the survival of informal authoritarian networks of trust; neglected to elaborate a shared narrative of the country’s Fascist experience; and formulated a weak new democratic collective identity based on the vague notions of a ‘second Risorgimento’ and ‘constitutional patriotism’. Over time, these transitional justice choices set Italy on to a developmental path characterized by a Manichean structuration of identities and politics that long held the country hostage of a permanent struggle between Fascist revanchism and anti-Fascist resentment. Conversely, post-authoritarian Portugal''s transitional justice regime was able to remove from the political stage most extremist political actors; promoted the emergence, rapid integration and increasing prominence of civilian-led pro-democracy political parties; eradicated formal and informal networks of trust associated with the Estado Novo; elaborated a shared interpretation of the country’s authoritarian past; and crafted a new appealing collective identity based on the ‘democratic’ revolução dos cravos. Over time, these early choices set Portugal on to a development path marked by ideological moderation and national reconciliation. The paper will focus, in particular, on the two countries’ contrasting approaches in elaborating a shared epic narrative of democratic rebirth. Thus, while Italy’s ‘second Risorgimento’ parable based on the country’s own efforts to defeat Nazi-Fascism (culminating in the 25th of April, 1945 “liberation”) proved divisive, Portugal’s official 25th of April, 1974 narrative successfully elevated the Carnation Revolution to the status of common patrimony of the nation. As a result, Portugal’s 25th of April recurrence provides to this day a powerful symbol of the country’s new democratic identity, whereas Italy’s stands as a constant reminder of a still irreconcilable national schism.
