Salvatore Vassallo – författare

By the spring of 1998, it had become clear that Italy, after considerable effort, had succeeded in bringing its public finances into line with the Maastricht parameters for joining the European Monetary Union. This was generally viewed as an important success of the Olive Tree coalition government led by Romano Prodi, and a sign that Italian political life had become "normal." Nevertheless, the Bicameral Commission, which should have fostered a radical consitutional reform with the aim to stabilize and strengthen the bipolar structure of the party system and the majoritarian functioning of democracy in Italy, was dismantled in June. Moreover, in October 1998 the Prodi government suddenly collapsed because of the internal opposition of the Neo-Communist wing of its parliamentary majority, a further demonstration that the Italian transition towards a more effective democratic rule is far from complete.

This book is an in-depth study of Fratelli d’Italia, the party led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. After providing a concise history of the neo-fascist and post-fascist parties to which Fratelli d’Italia is heir, the book examines its founding, statutory rules and internal organisation. The authors explore Meloni’s communication style and the national conservative ideology she has embraced, Fratelli d’Italia’s international network of alliances and its place in EU politics, and the composition of the electorate that led to the success of her and the party in the 2022 parliamentary elections. Through well-documented, rigorous and impartial analysis, the book offers insights into the path Fratelli d’Italia has taken and the identity it has built in its first ten years – explaining why a political tradition that seemed destined for extinction has come to power and is now attempting to change coalition politics in the EU. In doing so, the authors challenge several entrenched assumptions about populist and radical right-wing parties. The Italian edition of the book was reviewed in national newspapers and other media, garnering praise from a wide range of political perspectives.

This book is an in-depth study of Fratelli d’Italia, the party led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. After providing a concise history of the neo-fascist and post-fascist parties to which Fratelli d’Italia is heir, the book examines its founding, statutory rules and internal organisation. The authors explore Meloni’s communication style and the national conservative ideology she has embraced, Fratelli d’Italia’s international network of alliances and its place in EU politics, and the composition of the electorate that led to the success of her and the party in the 2022 parliamentary elections. Through well-documented, rigorous and impartial analysis, the book offers insights into the path Fratelli d’Italia has taken and the identity it has built in its first ten years – explaining why a political tradition that seemed destined for extinction has come to power and is now attempting to change coalition politics in the EU. In doing so, the authors challenge several entrenched assumptions about populist and radical right-wing parties. The Italian edition of the book was reviewed in national newspapers and other media, garnering praise from a wide range of political perspectives.