The Political Transition in Italy

Abstract

Italy is in a transitional phase to a new party system, which will probably lead to a different method of institutional functioning. This essay illustrates the transition from the Berlusconi Government to Monti Government end after to the “Grand coalition” Government. This step opens an unprecedented phase of the Italian democracy which seems to mark a break with the characteristics that the political and institutional life had taken in recent years. Although it is too early to describe the characteristics of the new phase, we can highlight some points which justify the assessment of the discontinuity. Among the main features of institutional life in the era of Berlusconism, can be mentioned the charismatic leadership, the context of heightened corporatism of the political class, the mortification of the Parliament and the transfer of its legislative powers to the Government, the constant aggression against Constitution and Fundamental Rights, the attempt to impose ethical views by the majority.