Presidentialization in Italian Politics: The Political Consequences of the 1993 Electoral Reform

Abstract

As demonstrated in the literature, Italian government is characterized by substantial equality among ministers and the Prime Minister which runs counter to the thesis of the presidentialization of the latter's role. Since the adoption of a mixed electoral system in 1993, the electoral situation has changed radically. In the 1996 parliamentary election, two coalitions, the right-wing Polo per le Libertà and the left-wing Ulivo, each proposed their leader as head of government should victory be achieved. Using a non-recursive model, the article examines whether voter evaluation of the leaders (and prospective premiers) affected electoral behaviour. In general, support for the leaders is shown to be a very important motivation for the 1996 vote. Thus the choice of the head of government by the citizenry - albeit a new practice in Italian politics - already influences electoral results. It is also possible that the process of electoral presidentialization enhances the Prime Minister's role within the cabinet.