Introduction: A Constitutional Viewpoint on Italian Populism

Abstract

This chapter outlines the aim and structure of the book. The aim of this edited volume is to explore the relationship between constitutionalism and populism in the Italian context. The Italian experience with populism is interesting to both domestic and comparative lawyers for many reasons. First, the country has a long-lasting tradition of anti-parliamentarism over the course of its history as a unitary state. After the 2018 general election, Italy turned into the first European country in which two self-styled populist parties with very different agendas and voting constituencies formed a coalition government. Second, the Italian case is of the greatest interest because the country is a founding member of the European Communities. Therefore, the constitutional implications of populist politics have to be considered not only within the national framework but also in the wider context. Bearing in mind this framework, the edited volume develops a comprehensive analysis of constitutional issues related to the rise of Italian populism.