Abstract
Italy is in the midst of a major party system transformation. The process has been gradual, caused by the decline of the former Communist Party and by the rise of the Northern League which has eroded the ‘stable instability’ of the Christian Democrats' one‐party dominance. Yet the direction of change remains uncertain. On electoral grounds, the recently introduced majoritarian electoral law should encourage the formation of competing coalitions. However, this change is taking place just at a time when the awakening of long‐established territorial cleavages is endangering national unity. A majoritanian government for a divided country might turn out to be the worst of the unintended consequences of institutional reform.
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