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This article deals with the paradoxes that characterise the Italian democratic system concerning the low presence of women in political decision-making bodies. A marked gap is noted between this situation and their high level of involvement in social and sconomic life ? which highlights an obvious democratic deficit. The relationship between political parties and candidates and elected representatives are analysed as well as the proliferation of equal opportunity bodies and the results in terms of women’s integration into political decision-making bodies. The examples drawn from other European countries show that only voluntaristic action by political parties or legislators, make it possible to overcome the paradoxical effects of gender ? without forgetting that positive results are never definitely acquired. The European road lies in a strengthening of women’s presence in elected bodies and the existence of a mixed political class of women and men can only encourage the emergence of a stronger democracy in Italy.