Italy’s new party dynamics are here to stay

Subject

Italy's party system.

Significance

Italy’s party system has changed significantly in the wake of the economic and immigration crises, with the traditional centre-right and centre-left blocs undermined by the rise of the Five Star Movement (M5S) and the League. Despite the collapse of the M5S-League government after only 14 months, both parties will continue to occupy substantial ground in Italian politics for the foreseeable future.

Impacts

• Spending limits as a result of EU fiscal rules and weak market confidence in government bonds are squeezing Italy's ability to modernise.
• Plans to cut the number of seats in parliament from 630 to 400 may avert a snap election as hundreds of MPs will lose their jobs.
• A potential gap in the Italian political marketplace concerns post-millennial climate change activism.