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In 2011, Silvio Berlusconi's government fell amid a severe financial crisis that called into question the sustainability of Italy's enormous public debt. But Italy's entire political class suffered a downgrade at the hands of Europe, the markets, national elites, and many Italian citizens. From the beginning of 2011, the parties appeared weak and lacking in any vision, capable only of reacting poorly to events and interpreting them within the tired pro-/anti-Berlusconi frame that had dominated politics for two decades. Throughout the year, those shaping the key events came from outside the main parties: the president of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano; the new president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi; the leader of Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia; the new mayors of Milan and Naples; the promoters of the referendums in June; and, last but by no means least, the European Union, foreign leaders, and the markets. In November, the downgrade of Italy's parties was made official by the installation of a technocratic government, led by Mario Monti. By the year's end, it therefore seemed clear that while the Third Republic had not yet begun, the Second was breathing its last.
List of contents
List of Abbreviations Chronology of Italian Political Events, 2011 Compiled by Rinaldo Vignati
ARTICLES
Introduction: The Monti Government and the Downgrade of Italian Parties Anna Bosco and Duncan McDonnell
End of an Era: The Disintegration of the Italian Party System Luigi Ceccarini, Ilvo Diamanti and Marc Lazar
The Formation of the Monti Government and the Role of the President of the Republic Carlo Fusaro
The Transformation of Party Leadership Mauro Barisione
The 2011 local elections: Berlusconi lost. But who won? Guido Legnante
Federal Reform: The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End? Emanuele Massetti
The Italian Candidate: The Appointment of Mario Draghi to the Presidency of the European Central Bank Kenneth Dyson and Lucia Quaglia
The Berlusconi Government and the Sovereign Debt Crisis Erik Jones
Italy and the International Intervention In Libya Osvaldo Croci and Marco Valigi
The Womens' Protest: A Success with Many Shadows Chiara Saraceno
Confindustria in Opposition Giuseppe Berta
The June Referendums. A Partial Victory Chiara Carrozza
Italy's 150th Anniversary: Commemorating the Past in a Divided Country John Foot and Samantha Owen
Documentary Appendix Compiled by Valentina Sartori
About the Editors and Authors
About the author
Anna Bosco is at the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Trieste
Summary
In 2011, Silvio Berlusconi’s government fell amid a severe financial crisis that called into question the sustainability of Italy’s enormous public debt. But Italy’s entire political class suffered a downgrade at the hands of Europe, the markets, national elites, and many Italian citizens. From the beginning of 2011, the parties appeared weak and lacking in any vision, capable only of reacting poorly to events and interpreting them within the tired pro-/anti-Berlusconi frame that had dominated politics for two decades. Throughout the year, those shaping the key events came from outside the main parties: the president of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano; the new president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi; the leader of Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia; the new mayors of Milan and Naples; the promoters of the referendums in June; and, last but by no means least, the European Union, foreign leaders, and the markets. In November, the downgrade of Italy’s parties was made official by the installation of a technocratic government, led by Mario Monti. By the year’s end, it therefore seemed clear that while the Third Republic had not yet begun, the Second was breathing its last.
