Abstract
Forza Italia won the 2001 elections, forcing the DS (Left Democrats) into opposition. Forza Italia is not just a 'teflon', media-produced, party; the Left Democrats are no longer a mass party. This article analyses the two Italian parties with reference to five elements: leadership; organization; electoral performance; coalition-building capabilities; overall strategy and platform. Enjoying stable leadership and an organization based on its network of parliamentary candidates, showing remarkable electoral growth, claiming a central role in the Casa delle LibertÀ and putting forward a shared platform, Forza Italia is a thriving party. Having unstable leadership, weakened by a declining organization, finding themselves at their lowest electoral level ever, challenged for the leading role in the centre-left coalition, and unable to define a shared strategy or a non-controversial platform, the Left Democrats are in a very difficult situation. The best outlook for the Italian political system lies in the formation of two competing alignments capable of alternating in government. If the Left Democrats decline, the functioning of the Italian political system will be adversely affected.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
