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Crisis of Parties and Change of Party System in Italy

In the early 1990s, Italian democracy has entered a phase of farreaching change, particularly of parties and the party system. This article proposes an assessment of what has changed, and why, with specific reference to the most basic features of parties (electoral performance, name, symbol, splits and alliances) from a systemic perspective. Also, to check the depth of change, party organization, the emergence of new models of parties and the turnover of parliamentary leadership are analysed. Finally, the impact of the party crisis and changes on the party system is evaluated and the degree to which the party system has changed is assessed. The concluding remarks will suggest how changes in the party system are related to the wider crisis of Italian democracy over the recent period, and the possible choices of the leaders as regards the future party system.