India's election outcomes: implications for the future

The general elections in India, held from April 19 to June 1, have been the longest electoral process in the history of multi-party democracy. 

On the eve of the elections, the ruling coalition, led by Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had the ambition to reach a two third majority of the Lok Sabha seats, which would make possible to modify the Constitution.

Whereas that was a goal difficult to reach, hardly any analyst did not espouse the idea that the BJP would easily win the absolute majority of the seats. Unexpectedly, however, the opposition represented by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) coalition, led by the Indian National Congress (INC), has put up a spirited fight which, although unable to defeat Narendra Modi’s BJP, has put paid to its dream to reach an absolute majority and possibly even a two third majority.

Crucial questions arise:
What system of governance will emerge to address the challenges between authoritarianism and democracy?
How will India's role on the international stage and its relationship with Italy evolve?
What economic policies will be adopted, and how will they impact the economy?

These issues were at the forefront of the meeting organized by CeSPI on June 6, providing an opportunity to delve into the political and social developments of the most populous and one of the most dynamic countries in the world.