Technocrats in Office [Paperback]

In 2012, the spotlight was on Prime Minister Monti and his government of non-elected ministers. Early in the year, the new governments economic policy was effective in stopping the international downgrading of the countrys credit rating. However, in terms of the entire year, the success of the Monti government appears less definitive. There were no clear achievements in terms of growth, and the structural features of the economy remained weak. Monti successfully initiated some reforms and policy changes, but there were failures as well. Furthermore, the odd majority (made up of the PdL, PD, and UdC) that supported Monti in Parliament performed more weakly than the government. The parties were to change the electoral law, reform the parliamentary institutions, cut costs, and reduce the privileges of the political class, but failed. Their inaction was accompanied by a series of scandals and crimes, all of which facilitated the emergence of new political forces, such as the Five Star Movement. When Monti eventually resigned in December 2012, President Napolitano called for new elections, and the parties redefined their proposals and lists. At the end of the year, the political and economic conditions of the country remained fragile.

List of Abbreviations
Chronology of Italian Political Events, 2012
Edited by Rinaldo Vignati

Introduction:The Year of the External Podest?
Aldo Di Virgilio and Claudio M. Radaelli

chapter 1.The Costs of Politics and Reform: The Year of Little Trims
Sergio Rizzo and Gian Antonio Stella

Chapter 2.The Challenge of the Five Star Movement
Rinaldo Vignati

Chapter 3.When the Magic Wears Off: Bossi Loses His Grip and the League Its Appeal
Anna Cento Bull

Chapter 4.Prime Minister Primaries: Candidate Selection between Innovation and Manipulation