The fight against corruption in the Italian legal system between repression and prevention

The chapter offers an overview of the current Italian anti-corruption system, which is the result of a sequence of recent reforms, introduced in particular with Law n. 190 of 6.11.2012 and Law n. 69 of 2015. The Italian anti-corruption system has evolved considerably with an integrated approach, placing alongside the traditional repressive measures – which had proven insufficient to deal with a now all-encompassing and widespread criminal phenomenon – administrative prevention and other measures to fight corruption. The chapter highlights some remaining critical issues concerning the corruption offences and the new tools introduced to “wipe out corruption”. It also underlines the importance of promoting whistle-blowing and, more in general, a “culture of legality” and comprehensively reforming public administration.