Populism and the Fall of the Centre-Right in Italy: The End of the Berlusconi Model or a New Beginning?
2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 21; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/14782804.2013.766475
ISSN1478-2804
Autores ResumoAbstract This article examines the rise and fall of the Italian centre-right coalition, from its successful emergence in the mid-1990s in the wake of the collapse of the previous party-system to its demise with the resignation of Berlusconi in 2011. The downfall of the coalition is explained in terms of internal contradictions exacerbated by the adoption of a populist strategy which masked differences between the coalition partners and led to political and economic realities being ignored. Evocative populist incantations aroused expectations among voters which could never be met, not least because of the contradiction between Berlusconi's anti-elitist discourse and the pursuit of his own private interests. Whilst posing as a political outsider, Berlusconi had deep roots in Italy's political and economic establishment. The article points to the role of the financial crisis of 2008 and its aftermath, and allegations about Berlusconi's private life in alienating previously supportive social actors, such as the northern entrepreneurial bourgeoisie and the Catholic Church. At the same time, the creation of the PDL (the People of Freedom) out of previously separate political parties made it more difficult for Berlusconi to manage tensions within the coalition and led to greater questioning of his leadership. The article examines the legacy of this anti-political approach which has enabled new populist movements to emerge and re-direct anti-political rhetoric against parties of the centre right themselves mired in corruption scandals after several years of political office. The populism of the new political movement led by Beppe Grillo and its impact on the Italian party system is assessed, with reference to the populist tradition in Italian political culture and the continuing appeal of charismatic leadership, and the broader context of the continuing Italian political transition. Keywords: populismanti-politicspolitical communicationItalyBerlusconiBeppe Grillo Notes 1 On several occasions Berlusconi has proffered disparaging remarks against gay people asking voters to condone his sexual peccadilloes by remarking 'at least I am not gay'. 2 Unione dei Democratici Cristiani e di Centro (Union of Christian and Centre Democrats). 3 The background and judicial history of the case was detailed in a book edited by nine journalists which Cosentino's brother attempted and failed to block through legal proceedings (Amato et al., Citation2011). 4 For instance Rosy Mauro, a personal friend of Bossi and a prominent parliamentarian was found to have purchased a stock of diamonds allegedly with LN money coming from public funds. The LN treasurer Francesco Belsito was found to be involved in shady operations involving the acquisition of gold ingots. 5 Berlusconi had a particularly close relationship with Bettino Craxi, prime minister between 1983 and 1988, and leader of the PSI, whose political career would be left in ruins by the mani pulite investigations. Craxi helped Berlusconi secure his hold over Italy's private television stations and was godfather to one of Berlusconi's children. He would later die in exile in Tunisia, a fugitive from Italian justice (Ginsborg, Citation2004). 6 By the summer of 2012 voting intentions for the PDL had collapsed to 19%, down from 26% in the winter of 2011, and support for the LN had fallen to 6%. Berlusconi appealed as a potential prime minister to only 9% of the electorate (see Studi and Proiezioni Elettorali, available at http://www.sondaggibidimedia.com/). Accessed 10 July 2012. 7 V standing for vaffanculo—an insult with strong sexual undertones. 8 See, for example, Grillo's blog: http://www.beppegrillo.it/en/.
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