2018 Italian general election

In the 2013 Italian general election held in March, none of the three main alliances (the centre-right coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi, the centre-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani, and the anti-establishment, populist Five Star Movement (M5S) led by Beppe Grillo) won an outright majority in the Italian Parliament. After a failed attempt to form a government by Bersani, then-secretary of the Democratic Party (PD), and Giorgio Napolitano's reluctantly-accepted second term as President of Italy in the 2013 Italian presidential election held in April, Enrico Letta, Bersani's deputy, received the task of forming a grand coalition government. The Letta Cabinet consisted of the PD, Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL), Civic Choice (SC), the Union of the Centre (UDC), and the Italian Radicals (RI).{{cite web|last=Dionisi|first=Brenda|date=9 May 2013|url=http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=8488&browse-by=News&level=National-News|url-status=dead|title=It's a governissimo!|website=The Florentine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210181530/http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=8488&browse-by=News&level=National-News|archive-date=10 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014}}

On 16 November 2013, Berlusconi re-launched Forza Italia (FI), named like the previous Forza Italia party (1994–2009).{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116|publisher=Reuters|title=Berlusconi breaks away from Italian government after party splits|date=16 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232953/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE9AE15M20131116|archive-date=2 December 2013}} Additionally, Berlusconi announced that FI would be opposed to Letta's government, causing the split from the PdL/FI of a large group of deputies and senators led by Minister of Interior Angelino Alfano, who launched the alternative New Centre-Right (NCD) party and remained loyal to the government,{{cite news|last=Lorenzo|first=Fuccaro|date=16 November 2013|url=http://archivio.corriere.it/Archivio/interface/landing.html|url-status=dead|title=È rottura tra Berlusconi e Alfano Il vicepremier annuncia i nuovi gruppi|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|pages=8–9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023906/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2013/novembre/16/rottura_tra_Berlusconi_Alfano_vicepremier_co_0_20131116_655ef574-4e8a-11e3-9c1a-7bb9640fad0f.shtml|archive-date=3 December 2013|access-date=18 February 2022}} which also came to include the Populars for Italy (PpI).{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Lucio|date=16 December 2013|url=https://formiche.net/2013/12/cosi-popolari-per-litalia-si-preparano-europee-parla-romano/|title=Così i popolari per l'Italia si preparano alle Europee. Parola di Lucio Romano|website=Formiche|language=it|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cite web|last=Argano|first=Fabrizia|date=9 January 2014|url=https://formiche.net/2014/01/proposte-popolari-per-litalia-letta/|title=Tutte le proposte dei Popolari 'Per l'Italia' a Letta|website=Formiche|language=it|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cite web|last=Argano|first=Fabrizia|date=28 January 2014|url=https://formiche.net/2014/01/lo-schema-delle-alleanze-dei-popolari-mauro/|title=Lo schema delle alleanze dei Popolari di Mauro|website=Formiche|language=it|access-date=18 February 2022}}

Following the election of Matteo Renzi as secretary of the PD in December 2013, there were persistent tensions culminating in Letta's resignation as Prime Minister in February 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20161205/in-pictures-the-defining-moments-of-renzis-time-in-office/|title=In Pictures: The defining moments of Renzi's time as PM|website=The Local|orig-date=5 December 2016|access-date=11 February 2022|date=8 December 2016}} The Renzi Cabinet was based on the same coalition, including the NCD, but in a new fashion.{{cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/politica/14_febbraio_21/renzi-47-8-anni-media-governo-piu-giovane-sempre-4e140a1e-9b27-11e3-8ea8-da6384aa5c66.shtml|title=Renzi: con 47, 8 anni di media, è il governo più giovane di sempre|newspaper=Corriere Della Sera|language=it|date=21 February 2014|access-date=23 February 2014}} The new Prime Minister had a strong mandate from the PD, which was reinforced in May by the party's strong showing in the 2014 European Parliament election in Italy;{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-election-italy-idUSL6N0OC21V20140526|title=Update 2-Renzi's triumph in EU vote gives mandate for Italian reform|date=26 May 2014|publisher=Reuters|access-date=9 June 2015}} the 2015 Italian presidential election resulted in the election of Sergio Mattarella, a former PD member, as the president of Italy in January.{{cite news|last=Finzi|first=Fabrizio|date=6 December 2021|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2021/12/02/quirinale-2015-mattarella-al-colle-_d75adb1d-02b5-4e65-94b9-85ac3027f6c0.html|title=Quirinale 2015: Mattarella al Colle, il capolavoro di Renzi|publisher=ANSA|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}} While in power, Renzi implemented several reforms, including the Italian electoral law of 2015 (Italicum) that would be declared partially unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Italy in January 2017 and replaced by the Italian electoral law of 2017 (Rosatellum),{{cite news|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2017/02/10/motivazioni-corte-costituzionale-sentenza-italicum/|title=Perché l'Italicum è incostituzionale|work=Il Post|language=it|date=10 February 2017|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Rubino|first=Monica|date=26 October 2017|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/10/26/news/legge_elettorale_verdini_noi_sempre_in_maggioranza_e_ci_resteremo_-179372181/|title=Il Rosatellum bis è legge dello Stato: via libera definitivo al Senato con 214 sì|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} and a relaxation of labour and employment laws known as the Jobs Act with the intention of boosting economic growth that would also found by the same court to be partially unconstitutional in September 2018,{{cite news|last=Colarusso|first=Gabriella|date=26 September 2018|url=https://www.repubblica.it/economia/2018/09/26/news/senza_sul_jobs_act_ecco_cosa_cambia-207420537/|title=Sentenza sul Jobs Act, ecco cosa cambia|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=9 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Martino|first=Enzo|date=3 October 2018|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/10/03/jobs-act-il-criterio-di-indennizzo-e-incostituzionale-cosi-crolla-uno-dei-pilastri-della-riforma-renzi/4664608/|title=Jobs act, il criterio di indennizzo è incostituzionale. Così crolla uno dei pilastri della riforma Renzi|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=9 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Covelli|first=Roberta|date=9 November 2018|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/la-corte-costituzionale-ha-smontato-il-jobs-act-di-renzi-e-anche-il-decreto-di-maio/|title=La Corte Costituzionale ha smontato il Jobs act di Renzi (e anche il decreto Di Maio)|work=Fanpage|language=it|access-date=9 February 2022}} which was upheld in July 2020,{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/lavoro/2020/07/16/lavoro-jobsact-licenziamento|title=Consulta: no indennità licenziamento ancorata ad anzianità servizio|website=Sky TG24|language=it|date=16 July 2020|access-date=9 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2020/07/16/sentenza-corte-costituzionale-firma-donne|title=Corte Costituzionale, la firma storica di tre donne sulla sentenza del Jobs Act|website=Sky TG24|language=it|date=16 July 2020|access-date=9 February 2022}} plus a thorough reform of the public administration, the simplification of the civil trial, the recognition of same-sex unions (not marriages), and the abolition of several minor taxes.{{cite news|last=Totaro|first=Lorenzo|date=15 October 2015|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-15/renzi-gives-italians-lower-taxes-higher-cash-use-to-back-growth|title=Renzi Gives Italians Lower Taxes, Higher Cash Use to Back Growth|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=9 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Kirchgaessner|first=Stephanie|date=22 February 2016|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/22/they-need-a-possibility-of-a-future-has-matteo-renzi-given-italy-what-it-needs|title='They need a possibility of a future': has Matteo Renzi given Italy what it needs?|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Balmer|first=Crispian|date=28 September 2016|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-renzi-reform-analysis-idUSKCN11Y14U|title=Renzi's reforms leave Italian economy and voters flat|publisher=Reuters|access-date=11 February 2022}}

As a result of the Libyan Civil War, a major problem faced by Renzi was the high level of illegal immigration to Italy. During his tenure, there was an increase in the number of immigrants rescued at sea being brought to southern Italian ports, prompting criticism from the M5S, FI, and the Northern League,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33055771|title=Italy PM Renzi attacks northern regions for refusing migrants|publisher=BBC|date=8 June 2015|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/23/italy-coastguard-3000-migrants-rescued-one-day|title=Italy coastguard: 3,000 migrants rescued in one day in Mediterranean|website=The Guardian|publisher=Agence France-Presse|date=23 August 2015|access-date=17 February 2022}} and causing a loss of popularity for Renzi.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/lanalisi-sondaggista-limmigrazione-renzi-perde-i-2-e-i-4-mil-1163247.html|title=L'analisi del sondaggista: 'Con l'immigrazione, Renzi perde tra i 2 e i 4 milioni di voti'|language=it|work=Il Giornale|date=25 August 2015|access-date=4 March 2018}} Into 2016, opinion polls registered the PD's strength, the growth of the M5S, the Northern League, and Brothers of Italy (FdI), FI's decline, SC's disappearance, and the replacement of Left Ecology Freedom (SEL) with Italian Left (SI).{{cite web|url=https://sondaggibidimedia.com/sondaggio-bidimedia-25-febbraio-nuove-forze-sinistra/2/|title=Sondaggio Bidimedia – 25 Febbraio: le due nuove forze a Sinistra del PD superano il 10%|website=Sondaggi Bidimedia|language=it|date=25 August 2016|access-date=17 February 2022}}

File:Matteo Renzi alla conferenza stampa post referendum costituzionale 2016.jpg announcing his resignation after the 2016 constitutional referendum result]]

In the 2016 Italian constitutional referendum, a constitutional reform proposed by Renzi's government and duly approved by Parliament was rejected 59% to 41%.{{cite journal|last1=Negri|first1=Fedra|last2=Rebessi|first2=Elisa|date=January 2018|title=Was Mattarella Worth the Trouble? Explaining the Failure of the 2016 Italian Constitutional Referendum|journal=Italian Political Science Review|publisher=Cambridge University Press|volume=48|issue=2|pages=177–196|doi=10.1017/ipo.2017.29|hdl=2434/562060|s2cid=158906172|hdl-access=free}}{{cite journal|last1=Di Mauro|first1=Danilo|last2=Memoli|first2=Vincenzo|date=February 2018|title=Targeting the Government in the Referendum: The Aborted 2016 Italian Constitutional Reform|journal=Italian Political Science Review|publisher=Cambridge University Press|volume=48|issue=2|pages=133–157|doi=10.1017/ipo.2017.31|s2cid=158555880}} Under the reform, the Senate would have been composed of 100 members, of which 95 are regional representatives and five are presidential appointees.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-idUSKBN0EW0DO20140621|title=Italian parties reach deal on Senate reform|publisher=Reuters|date=21 June 2014|access-date=25 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/49d553ec-71e3-11e5-9b9e-690fdae72044.html#axzz3pqfrJMXD|title=Renzi wins Senate victory over Italy's political gridlock|last=Politi|first=James|date=13 October 2015|newspaper=Financial Times|issn=0307-1766|access-date=6 August 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.italy24.ilsole24ore.com/art/politics/2015-10-13/via-libera-riforma-senato-130528.php|title=Italy's constitutional reform gets the green light from the Senate, the opposition leaves the floor|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|access-date=6 August 2016}} Following defeat in December 2016, Renzi stepped down as Prime Minister and was replaced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni,{{cite book|last=Gianfreda|first=Stella|year=2021|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v9Q6EAAAQBAJ|title=Where Do the Parties Stand?: Political Competition on Immigration and the EU in National and European Parliamentary Debates|publisher=Springer Nature|page=21|isbn=978-3-030-77588-9|access-date=9 February 2022}} another PD member and deputy.{{cite news|last=Rovelli|first=Michela|title=Governo, Gentiloni accetta l'incarico di governo: 'Un grande onore'|url=http://www.corriere.it/la-crisi-di-governo/notizie/crisi-governo-sergio-mattarella-convoca-gentiloni-quirinale-6b7c7ed8-bf78-11e6-ab31-2a5a06e0ce0a.shtml|access-date=11 December 2016|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=11 December 2016}}

In early 2017, in opposition to Renzi's policies, some left-wing PD members led by Bersani, Massimo D'Alema, and Roberto Speranza launched, along with SI splinters, the Democratic and Progressive Movement (MDP).{{cite news|last=Stefanoni|first=Franco|url=http://www.corriere.it/politica/17_febbraio_25/ecco-nome-fuorusciti-pd-democratici-progressisti-4c70ae0c-fb45-11e6-8df2-f7ebe5fcea94.shtml|title=Ecco il nome degli ex Pd: Articolo 1 Movimento dei democratici e progressisti|date=25 February 2017|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2017-02-25/democratici-e-progressisti-nuovo-nome-ex-pd-speranza-lavoro-e-nostra-priorita-113550.shtml|title='Democratici e progressisti' il nuovo nome degli ex Pd. Speranza: lavoro è nostra priorità|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=25 February 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} Contextually, the NCD was transformed into Popular Alternative (AP).{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2017/03/18/ncd-finisce-nasce-alternativa-popolare_88487beb-aee6-4b26-adc1-512f8988d102.html|title=Ncd finisce, nasce Alternativa Popolare|publisher=ANSA|language=it|date=18 March 2017|access-date=20 February 2022}} In April, Renzi was re-elected secretary of the PD and became the party's candidate for Prime Minister,{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/04/30/news/primarie_pd_elezioni_segretario_scrutinio-164320193/|title=Primarie Pd, Renzi vince nettamente: 'Al fianco del governo'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=30 April 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} defeating Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando and the governor of Apulia Michele Emiliano.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/05/01/i-dati-definitivi-delle-primarie-renzi-70-orlando-19-5-emil_a_22063333/|title=I dati definitivi delle primarie: Renzi 70%, Orlando 19,5%, Emiliano 10,49%|date=May 2017|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.primariepd2017.it|title=Primarie|website=Primerie PD 2017|publisher=Partito Democratico|language=it|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325225112/http://www.primariepd2017.it/|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=dead}}

In May 2017, Matteo Salvini was re-elected federal secretary of the Northern League and launched his own bid.{{cite news|url=http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2017/05/14/news/lega_nord_primarie-165396825/|title=Primarie Lega, Salvini centra l'obiettivo: con l'82,7% resta segretario. L'attacco di Bossi: 'Con lui la Lega è finita'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=14 May 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/politica/lega-salvini-avverte-berlusconi-maggioritario-se-vuoi-davvero-vincere-480199.html|title=Lega, Salvini avverte Berlusconi: 'Maggioritario se vuoi davvero vincere'|website=Affari Italiani|date=21 May 2017 |language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} Under Salvini, the party had emphasised Euroscepticism, opposition to immigration, and other right-wing populist policies.{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,719842,00.html|title=Continent of Fear: The Rise of Europe's Right-Wing Populists|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=28 September 2010|access-date=3 January 2015}} His aim had been to re-launch it as a nationalist party, withering any notion of northern separatism. This focus became particularly evident in December 2017, when the party presented its new electoral logo dropping Nord ("Northern").{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/lega-simbolo-via-nord-Salvini-premier-a6ca9637-6154-45e2-a98c-f91fda0893ea.html|title=Lega. Ecco il simbolo, via Nord ma con Salvini premier|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=21 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} That same month, the League for Salvini Premier was founded as a sister party to promote Salvini's candidature as Prime Minister. Political commentators have since described it as a parallel party of the League, with the aim of politically replacing the latter, which had been burdened by a statutory debt of €49 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/centrodestra-salvini-seppellisce-il-vecchio-carroccio-e-fonda-un-altro-partito-dfa2c0d9-9f75-4983-95ae-110f83bbbb4b.html|title=Centrodestra. Salvini seppellisce il vecchio Carroccio e fonda un altro partito|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=24 January 2018|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Vecchi|first=Davide|date=24 January 2018|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/premium/articoli/soldi-e-poltrone-salvini-schiera-il-partito-parallelo|title=Lega, Salvini schiera il 'partito parallelo' per seppellire il vecchio Carroccio su cui pendono sequestri e confische|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Cremonesi|first=Marco|date=26 October 2018|url=https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/politica/18_ottobre_26/salvini-vara-nuova-lega-via-simbolo-alberto-giussano-sara-sovranista-statuto-5ba7f9c2-d89b-11e8-8a41-5d7293f8c00a.shtml|title=Salvini, via alla nuova Lega: sovranista per statuto e senza Alberto da Giussano|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=18 February 2022}}

In September 2017, Luigi Di Maio was selected as candidate for Prime Minister and political head of the M5S, replacing Grillo;{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/09/23/news/rimini_grillo_canta_il_rock_sul_palco_di_rimini_fico_giu_dal_palco_anche_oggi-176268214/|title=M5s, Di Maio eletto candidato premier e nuovo capo politico. Ma alle primarie votano solo in 37 mila|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=23 September 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite news|last=Imarisio|first=Marco|url=http://www.corriere.it/politica/17_settembre_24/incoronazione-gelida-4a90d796-a0a0-11e7-bad7-1b467cbbafcc.shtml|title=Movimento 5 Stelle: l'incoronazione gelida. E Di Maio promette a tutti 'disciplina e onore'|date=23 September 2017|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} in the following months, Grillo was accused by critics of continuing to play his role as de facto leader of the party, while an increasingly important, albeit unofficial, role was assumed by Davide Casaleggio, son of Gianroberto, a web strategist who founded the M5S along with Grillo in 2009 and died in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.polisblog.it/post/373565/chi-comanda-ora-nel-movimento-5-stelle-il-ruolo-di-davide-casaleggio|title=Chi comanda ora nel Movimento 5 Stelle? Il ruolo di Davide Casaleggio|website=Polisblog|language=it|date=19 April 2016|access-date=18 April 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2016/09/21/news/davide_casaleggio_m5s-148271023/|title=M5s, la prima volta di Davide Casaleggio|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=21 September 2016|access-date=18 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nextquotidiano.it/nuovo-regolamento-m5s-casaleggio-espulsioni/|title=Il nuovo regolamento M5S e il ruolo di Davide Casaleggio nelle espulsioni|website=NextQuotidiano|language=it|date=26 September 2016|access-date=18 April 2017}} In January 2018, Grillo separated his own blog from the movement; his blog was used in the previous years as an online newspaper of the M5S and the main propaganda tool.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpost.it/2018/01/23/blog-beppe-grillo-cambiato/|title=Il blog di Beppe Grillo è cambiato|date=23 January 2018}} This event was seen by many as the proof that Grillo was slowly leaving politics.{{cite web|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/attualita/2018/01/15/news/grillo-si-riprende-il-blog-e-inizia-il-distacco-dal-m5s-1.317017|title=Grillo si riprende il blog e continua il suo distacco dal M5S|magazine=L'Espresso|language=it|date=15 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}}

The autumn registered some major developments to the left of the political spectrum. In November, the RI, Forza Europa, and individual liberals launched a joint list named More Europe (+E), led by the long-time RI leader Emma Bonino.{{cite news|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2017/11/23/italia/politica/i-radicali-alle-elezioni-da-soli-la-nuova-lista-si-chiamer-europa-9vVPiGh2xoYXqExCOow4cP/pagina.html|title=I radicali alle elezioni da soli: la nuova lista si chiamerà '+ Europa'|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=23 November 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} In December, the MDP, SI, and Possible launched a joint list named Free and Equal (LeU) under the leadership of Pietro Grasso, the president of the Senate and former anti-mafia prosecutor.{{cite news|url=https://ilmanifesto.it/nasce-liberi-e-uguali-grasso-si-presenta-bene|title=Liberi e Uguali, Grasso si presenta bene|work=Il Manifesto|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} That same month, the Italian Socialist Party, the Federation of the Greens, Civic Area, and Progressive Area formed a list named Together in support of the PD,{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/12/14/ritorna-in-piccolo-lulivo-e-lavversario-e-sempre-lo-stesso-siamo-gli-unici-che-hanno-battuto-due-volte-berlusconi_a_23307177|title=Ritorna, in piccolo, L'Ulivo e l'avversario è sempre lo stesso: 'Siamo gli unici che hanno battuto due volte Berlusconi'|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|date=14 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-date=17 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217032726/http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/12/14/ritorna-in-piccolo-lulivo-e-lavversario-e-sempre-lo-stesso-siamo-gli-unici-che-hanno-battuto-due-volte-berlusconi_a_23307177/|url-status=dead}} and the Communist Refoundation Party, the Italian Communist Party, social centres, minor parties, local committees, associations, and groups launched a far-left joint list named Power to the People (PaP) under the leadership of Viola Carofalo.{{cite news|last=Pollice|first=Adriana|date=16 December 2017|url=https://ilmanifesto.it/debutta-potere-al-popolo-non-siamo-la-terza-lista-di-sinistra-ma-lunica|title=Debutta Potere al popolo: 'Non siamo la terza lista di sinistra, ma l'unica'|newspaper=Il manifesto|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite web|last=Carofalo|first=Viola|date=10 February 2018|url=https://poterealpopolo.org/in-risposta-a-luciana-castellina-e-il-suo-articolo-lerrore-di-strategia-della-lista-potere-al-popolo|title=In risposta a Luciana Castellina e il suo articolo 'L'errore di strategia della lista Potere al Popolo'|publisher=Potere al Popolo|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}

In late December 2017, the centrist post-NCD Popular Alternative (AP), which had been a key coalition partner for the PD, divided itself among those who wanted to return into the centre-right's fold and those who supported Renzi's coalition. Two groups of AP splinters (one led by Maurizio Lupi and the other by Enrico Costa) formed, along with Direction Italy, Civic Choice, Act!, Cantiere Popolare, and the Movement for Autonomies, a joint list within the centre-right named Us with Italy (NcI).{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/nasce-noi-litalia-quarta-gamba-centrodestra-1475804.html|title=Nasce Noi con l'Italia, la 'quarta gamba' del centrodestra|language=it|work=Il Giornale|date=19 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} The list was later enlarged to the Union of the Centre and other minor parties.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/simbolo-e-liste-pronta-quarta-gamba-1481433.html|title=Simbolo e liste: è pronta la 'quarta gamba'|language=it|work=Il Giornale|date=19 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} The remaining members of the AP, Italy of Values, Centrists for Europe, Solidary Democracy, and minor groups joined forces in the pro-PD Popular Civic List (CP) led by Minister of Health Beatrice Lorenzin.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/12/29/news/nasce_la_lista_centrista_alleata_col_pd_sara_guidata_da_lorenzin-185423728/|title=Nasce 'Civica popolare', lista centrista alleata col Pd: sarà guidata dalla Lorenzin|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=29 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}

On 28 December 2017, President Mattarella dissolved the parliament and a new general election was called for 4 March 2018.{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Deborah|first2=Giovanni|last2=Legorano|date=28 December 2017|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-president-calls-national-elections-as-country-grapples-with-economic-pain-1514481781|title=Italy's President Calls National Elections, as Country Grapples With Economic Pain|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 February 2022}}

On 21 February 2018, Marco Minniti, the Italian Minister of the Interior, warned: "There is a concrete risk of the mafias conditioning electors' free vote."{{cite news|title=Italians warned of Mafia meddling in the upcoming election|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/italian-election-could-see-mafia-interference.html|access-date=22 February 2018|agency=CNBC|publisher=Holly Ellyatt|date=22 February 2018}} The Sicilian Mafia have been active in Italian election meddling; the Camorra and 'Ndrangheta organisations have also taken an interest.{{cite news|title=Mafia risk on elections – Minniti (3)|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2018/02/21/mafia-risk-on-elections-minniti-3_01927267-9b17-42b0-813b-6c023b4c957c.html|publisher=ANSA|language=it|date=21 February 2018|access-date=22 February 2018}}

In late February 2018, Berlusconi indicated Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament, as his candidate for the premiership if the centre-right coalition won the general election,{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Harry|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/silvio-berlusconi-indicates-antonio-tajani-will-be-his-choice-for-pm-italy-election/|title=Berlusconi indicates Tajani will be his choice for PM|work=Politico|date=23 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} and if FI achieved a plurality of the votes inside the coalition, condition that did not occur, resulting in a victory of the League, the party led by Salvini.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/03/13/news/salvini_trattative_presidenze_camera_senato-191219993/|title=Centrodestra, Salvini condurrà la trattativa sulle presidenze di Camera e Senato|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=13 March 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}}

The first phase of the electoral campaign was marked by the statement of President Mattarella to parties for the presentation of "realistic and concrete" proposals during the traditional end of the year's message, in which he also expressed the wish for a high participation in the ballot.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/12/31/mattarella-il-discorso-di-fine-anno-partiti-hanno-il-dovere-di-programmi-realistici-fiducia-nei-giovani-al-voto/4068072/|title=Mattarella, il discorso di fine anno: 'I partiti hanno il dovere di programmi realistici. Fiducia nei giovani al voto'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=31 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}

The electoral programme of the PD included, among the main points, the introduction of a minimum hourly wage of €10, a measure that would affect 15% of workers, that is those workers who do not adhere to the national collective agreements, plus a cut of the contributory wedge for permanent contracts, a relocation allowance and an increase in subsidies for the unemployed, a monthly allowance of €80 for parents for each minor child, fiscal detraction of €240 for parents with children, and the progressive reduction of the rates of IRPEF and IRES, respectively the income tax and the corporate tax.{{cite web|url=https://www.partitodemocratico.it/politiche-2018/piu-forte-piu-giusta-italia-programma-del-pd/|title=Programma PD – Elezioni Politiche 2018|publisher=Partito Democratico|language=it|date=7 February 2018|access-date=7 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-946b760d-22f6-4585-890c-7f927a2e56b4.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 10/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/02/02/news/pd_programma_elettorale_matteo_renzi-187887650/|title=Pd, Renzi ecco il programma elettorale: 240 euro al mese per figlio. 'Taglio contributi tempo indeterminato'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=2 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} Regarding immigration, which had been a major problem in Italy for the previous years, the PD advocated a reduction in migrant flows through bilateral agreements with the countries of origin and pretended to a halt to European Union funding for countries like Hungary and Poland that have refused to take in any of the 600,000 migrants who have reached Italy through the Mediterranean over the past four years.{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Harry|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-election-2018-pledges-pizza-pazza/|title=Italian election pledges: Pizza or pazza?|work=Politico|date=13 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} Among the PD's allies, the CP proposed free nursery schools, a tax exemption for corporate welfare, and other measures regarding public health, including the contrast to the long waiting list in hospitals, the abolition of the so-called "supertickets", and an extension of home care for the elderly.{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-777898f7-16c2-43a2-9dd2-f66aaf2c9dd8.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 16/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} +E advocated the re-launch of the process of European integration and federalisation of the European Union towards the formation of the United States of Europe.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/11/23/news/radicali_italiani_lista_europeista-181892110/|title=Radicali italiani, ecco la lista europeista di Bonino e Della Vedova|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=23 November 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} This was also supported by the PD, with the PD's leader Renzi saying the United States of Europe is the future.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-01-20/renzi-futuro-sono-stati-uniti-d-europa-125652.shtml|title=Renzi: il futuro sono gli Stati Uniti d'Europa|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=20 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} In opposition to the PD's policies implemented by Minister of Interior Marco Minniti, +E advocated the social integration of migrants.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-02-13/migranti-e-legittima-difesa-e-campagna-sicurezza-063551.shtml|title=Migranti e legittima difesa, è campagna sulla sicurezza|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=13 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214141951/http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-02-13/migranti-e-legittima-difesa-e-campagna-sicurezza-063551.shtml|archive-date=14 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:Silvio Berlusconi - Trento 2018 04.jpg during the electoral campaign]]

The main proposal of the centre-right coalition was a tax reform based on the introduction of a flat tax; for Berlusconi, it was initially based on the lowest current rate (23%) with the threshold raised to €12,000, then proceeding to a gradual reduction of the rate, while according to Salvini the tax rate should be only 15%. The economic newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore estimated the cost of this measure at around €25 billion per year calculated with a 20% rate, or €40 billion with 15%.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-01-01/da-flat-tax-ad-abolizione-legge-fornero-quanto-costano-promesse-elettorali-partiti-215238.shtml|title=Dalla flat tax all'abolizione della legge Fornero, quanto costano le promesse elettorali dei partiti|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=1 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} Berlusconi also proposed the cancellation of IRAP, a tax on productivity, plus increase of minimum pensions to €1,000, the introduction of a "dignity income" to fight poverty, the end of contribution on youth recruitment, changes to the Fornero Law, which regulated pensions, and the launch of a Marshall Plan for Africa to reduce illegal immigration to Italy.{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-c8aa5419-803c-49f9-be36-8fb1210dc88a.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 11/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} Within FI, there were some representatives of the Animalist Movement led by Michela Vittoria Brambilla, whose main focus was the banning of fur clothing and stricter controls in circuses, free veterinary care, and the establishment of an ombudsman for animal rights.{{cite web|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2018/01/20/italia/politica/stop-agli-allevamenti-per-le-pellicce-e-interventi-nei-circhi-il-programma-animalista-di-berlusconi-0U5ZmWC0cIib3Xed5DrwKO/pagina.html|title='Stop agli allevamenti per le pellicce e interventi nei circhi': il programma animalista di Berlusconi|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=20 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} The League proposed the complete replacement of the Fornero Law and the possibility of retirement with 41 years of contributions, the "scrapping" of tax records for taxpayers in difficulty, an operation that should yield up to €35 billion to the state, and the disbandment of Equitalia, the company that deals with the collection of taxes, plus the abolition of the limit on the use of cash and the regularization of prostitution;{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-6cf39faf-5a69-426c-a434-2eadea08b565.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 18/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} moreover, Salvini's main aim was a drastic reduction of illegal immigration by reintroducing border controls, blocking arrivals, and repatriating all migrants who have no right to stay in Italy.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpopulista.it/news/16-Gennaio-2018/22420/immigrati-occupano-la-statale-salvini-stanno-male-rispediamoli-a-casa-loro.html|title=Immigrati occupano la Statale, Salvini: 'Stanno male? Rispediamoli a casa loro!'|website=Il Populista|language=it|date=16 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-date=19 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219043532/http://www.ilpopulista.it/news/16-Gennaio-2018/22420/immigrati-occupano-la-statale-salvini-stanno-male-rispediamoli-a-casa-loro.html|url-status=dead}} The FdI proposed free nurseries, a check for €400 per month for newborns up to the six years old to increase population growth, parental leave paid to 80% up to the sixth year of birth, increase in salaries and equipment to law enforcement, the increased use of the Italian Army as a measure to fight crime, and a new law on self-defense.{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-d16c00c7-3067-401d-be85-4e5450deaec4.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 17/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}

The M5S presented a programme whose main points are the introduction of a basic income, known as "income of citizenship", to fight poverty, a measure that would cost between €15 and €20 billion annually, plus the cut of the public debt by 40 points in relation to GDP in ten years, the adoption of measures to revitalise youth employment, a cut in pensions of over €5,000 net not entirely based on the contribution method, the reduction of IRPEF rates and the extension of the income tax threshold, the increase in spending on family welfare measures from 1.5 to 2.5% of GDP, and a constitutional law that obliges members of parliament to resign if they intend to change party.{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Porta-a-Porta-ee758ef4-933a-445c-a079-16622034d511.html|title=Porta a Porta 2017/18 – Puntata del 09/01/2018|publisher=Rai|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} Di Maio also proposed a legislative simplification, starting with the elimination of almost 400 laws with a single legislative provision.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/01/10/news/di_maio_casaleggio-186195224/|title=M5S, Di Maio: 'Ridurre la burocrazia, aboliremo 400 leggi'. E lancia un sito ad hoc aperto a tutti|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=10 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}}

LeU focused on the so-called right to study, proposing in particular the abolition of tuition fees for students who take the exams regularly, with the estimated cost for the state budget of €1.6 billion. LeU also proposed the reintroducing the Workers' Statute, which offered protections that were eliminated by the Renzi government's Jobs Act, plus fighting tax evasion, corruption, and organised crime.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/01/07/grasso-eliminare-il-canone-rai-noi-vogliamo-abolire-le-tasse-per-luniversita-come-germania-e-cancellare-il-jobs-act/4078294/|title=Grasso: 'Eliminare il canone Rai? Noi vogliamo abolire le tasse per l'università come in Germania. E cancellare il Jobs Act'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=24 October 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}

{{see also|Macerata shooting|Murder of Pamela Mastropietro}}

File:Matteo Salvini - Manifestazione Piazza Duomo - 24 Febbraio 2018.jpg]]

On 3 February 2018, a drive-by shooting event occurred in the city of Macerata, Marche, in Central Italy, where six African migrants were seriously wounded.{{cite news|last=Povoledo|first=Elisabetta|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/world/europe/macerata-italy-shooting.html|title='Racial Hatred' Cited After African Immigrants Are Shot in Italy|work=The New York Times|date=3 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} Luca Traini, a 28-year-old local man, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, and was also charged for the attack against the local headquarters of the ruling PD party.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/02/03/foto/raid_razzista_a_macerata_colpita_anche_la_sede_pd-187970849/1/|title=Raid razzista a Macerata, colpita anche la sede Pd|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=3 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} After the attack, Traini reportedly had an Italian flag draped on his shoulders and raised his arm in the fascist salute.{{cite news|last1=Birnbaum|first1=Michael|last2=Pitrelli|first2=Stefano|date=3 February 2018|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/suspect-shoots-wounds-at-least-six-people-of-color-in-italian-city-amid-tensions/2018/02/03/58c93240-08f1-11e8-ae28-e370b74ea9a7_story.html|title=Man shoots, wounds at least 6 'people of color' in Italian city amid tensions|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=18 February 2022}} Traini stated that the attack was "revenge" for Pamela Mastropietro, an 18-year-old Roman woman whose dismembered body had been found few days earlier, stuffed into two suitcases and dumped in the countryside; for this, three Nigerian drug dealers were arrested, the main suspect being Innocent Oseghale, a 29-year-old failed asylum seeker.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/cronaca/sparatorie_macerata-3525294.html|title=Macerata, spari da auto in corsa, sei feriti: sono tutti di colore. Una vendetta per Pamela: bloccato un uomo avvolto nel tricolore|date=3 February 2018|work=Il Messaggero|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2018/02/01/nigerian-charged-over-dismembered-teen-4_493333c0-1c12-4cb1-95fe-50b145c46d67.html|title=Nigerian charged over dismembered teen (4)|publisher=ANSA|date=1 February 2018|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Squires|first=Nick|date=3 February 2018|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/03/four-migrants-reported-injured-drive-by-shooting-italy/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Italian man arrested after African migrants injured in drive-by shootings|website=The Telegraph|agency=Reuters|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/03/four-migrants-reported-injured-drive-by-shooting-italy/|archive-date=12 January 2022|access-date=18 February 2022}}{{cbignore}} Missing body parts had sparked allegations of the murder having been a muti killing also involving cannibalism.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/01/31/macerata-donna-fatta-pezzi-e-rinchiusa-due-valigie-abbandonate-il-corpo-e-della-18enne-pamela-mastropietro/4128734/|title=Macerata, donna fatta a pezzi e rinchiusa in due valigie: il corpo è della 18enne Pamela Mastropietro. Fermato un uomo|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=31 January 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=http://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/18_febbraio_21/omicidio-pamela-mastropietro-caccia-quarto-uomo-casa-macerata-78b3b55c-16fd-11e8-b630-41a05c9e9642.shtml|title=L'omicidio di Pamela Mastropietro: caccia al quarto uomo nella casa di Macerata|work=Corriere della Sera|date=21 February 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Bucchi|first=Giulio|date=23 February 2018|url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/italia/13312406/pamela-mastropietro-procura-macerata-massimo-riserbo-svolta-vicina-anomalie-nigeriano-desmond-lucky.html|title=Pamela Mastropietro, svolta clamorosa. A Macerata 'massimo riserbo', il nigeriano e le 'anomalie' che cambiano tutto|work=Libero Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}}

The case sparked anger and anti-immigrant sentiment in Macerata. Traini's lawyer reported "alarming solidarity" for Traini expressed by the populace,{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2018/02/05/news/macerata_11_i_migranti_presi_di_mira_da_traini-188082521/|title=Raid Macerata, Traini voleva uccidere l'omicida di Pamela. Il legale: 'Ricevo allarmante solidarietà'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=5 February 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}} while Mastropietro's mother publicly thanked Traini for "lighting a candle" for her daughter.{{cite news|last=Legnani|first=Matteo|date=6 February 2018|url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/italia/13306500/pamela-matropietro-madre-alessandra-verni-ringrazio-luca-traini-cero-acceso-per-mia-figlia.html|title=Pamela Mastropietro, parla la madre: 'Ringrazio Luca Traini per il cero acceso per mia figlia'|work=Libero Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}} A second autopsy of the girl's remains, published after the attack against the African migrants, revealed that Mastropietro had been strangled, stabbed, and then flayed while still alive.{{cite news|last=Biccho|first=Michele|date=22 February 2018|url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/italia/13311773/pamela-mastropietro-autopsia-nigeriani-macerata-scuoiata-ferite-soffrire-manca-pelle-cadavere-fatto-pezzi-mannaia.html|title=Pamela Mastropietro, l'orrore della seconda autopsia: 'I nigeriani l'hanno fatta soffrire, poi scuoiata'|work=Libero Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Bertocchi|first=Gabriele|date=22 February 2018|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cronache/i-risultati-choc-dellautopsia-pamela-mastropietro-senza-20-1497352.html|title=I risultati choc dell'autopsia: 'Pamela Mastropietro senza il 20% di pelle'|work=Il Giornale|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}} The murder of Mastropietro and the attack by Traini, and their appraisal by Italian media and the public were "set to become a decisive factor" in the national elections.{{cite news|last=Mowat|first=Laura|date=20 February 2018|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/921076/Italy-election-2018-immigration-weak-economy-Salvini-Silvio-Berlusconi-debt-Luca-Traini|title=Italy election 2018: How immigration and a weak economy could decide the fate of Europe|work=Sunday Express|access-date=20 February 2018}}

Traini was a member and former local candidate of the League, and many political commentators, intellectuals, and politicians criticized Salvini in connection with the attack, accusing him of having "spread hate and racism" in the country. Roberto Saviano, the notable anti-mafia writer, labeled Salvini as the "moral instigator" of Traini's attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/02/03/roberto-saviano-il-mandante-morale-dei-fatti-di-macerata-e-salvini_a_23351937/|title=Roberto Saviano: 'Il mandante morale dei fatti di Macerata è Salvini'|date=3 February 2018|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} Salvini responded to critics by accusing the centre-left government of responsibility for Mastropietro's death through allowing migrants to stay in the country and having "blood on their hands", asserting that the blame lies with those who "fill [Italy] with illegal immigrants".{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/02/03/news/raid_razziale_a_macerata_salvini_chiunque_spari_e_un_delinquente_-187953469/|title=Raid razzista a Macerata, Salvini: 'Colpa di chi ci riempie di clandestini'. Renzi: 'Ora calma e responsabilità'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=3 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}}

Prime Minister Gentiloni stated that he "trusts in the sense of responsibility of all political forces. Criminals are criminals and the state will be particularly harsh with anyone that wants to fuel a spiral of violence." Gentiloni added that "hate and violence will not divide Italy".{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/02/03/renzi-e-di-maio-non-cavalcano-i-fatti-di-macerata-ora-calma-non-strumentalizziamo-grasso-salvini-responsabile-dellodio_a_23351964/|title=Gentiloni: 'Odio e violenza non ci divideranno'. Renzi e Di Maio non cavalcano i fatti di Macerata: 'Ora calma, non strumentalizziamo'|date=3 February 2018|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} Minister Minniti condemned the attack against the Africans, saying that any political party must "ride the hate".{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2018/02/03/macerata-minniti-nessuno-cavalchi-odio_4d149451-011f-4664-b5b2-bcbb7e5ae014.html|title=Macerata: Minniti, nessuno cavalchi odio|publisher=Ansa|language=it|date=27 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} Renzi, whose party was also accused about its position on immigration, stated that "calm and responsibility" from all political forces would now be necessary.{{cite news|url=http://www.rai.it/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-b1f94772-5693-4c51-ad3a-128860d0e0d3-tg1.html|title=Renzi: 'Servono calma e responsabilità'|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=3 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} In the constituency of Macerata, the centre-right coalition, led by the League, won a plurality of the votes in the ballot, electing candidate Tullio Patassini, and showed an increase from 0.4% of the vote in 2013 to 21% in 2018, five years later.{{cite news|last=Lilli|first=Manlio|date=6 March 2018|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/03/06/elezioni-2018-con-il-21-salvini-e-il-nuovo-ras-di-macerata/4207431/|title=Elezioni 2018, con il 21% Salvini è il nuovo ras di Macerata|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}}

Differently from many other Western world countries, electoral debates between parties' leaders are not so common before general elections in Italy;{{cite web|last=Maltoni|first=Francesco|date=26 February 2018|url=https://www.leggioggi.it/2018/02/26/elezioni-2018-4-motivi-per-cui-questa-peggior-campagna-elettorale/|title=Elezioni 2018, 4 motivi per cui questa è la peggior campagna elettorale di sempre|website=Leggi Oggi|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2018/01/03/italia/politica/la-tv-orfana-dei-faccia-a-faccia-sar-una-campagna-elettorale-senza-duelli-2lg3YCExPyIz8AbiPtQreP/pagina.html|title=La tv orfana dei faccia a faccia, sarà una campagna elettorale senza duelli|work=La Stampa|language=it|date=27 February 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} the last debate between the two main candidates to premiership dated back to the 2006 Italian general election between Silvio Berlusconi and Romano Prodi.{{cite news|url=http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Politica/2006/Notizie/Politiche2006/articoli/04_Aprile/03/berlu_prodi.shtml|title=Prodi-Berlusconi, duello ad alta tensione|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} With few exceptions, almost every main political leader had denied his participation to an electoral debate with other candidates,{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/renzi-di-maio-faccia-faccia-di-maio-annulla-non-e-leader-pd-defunto-c15da88c-9605-430b-a10a-1e5703cbd430.html|title=Di Maio annulla faccia a faccia con Renzi: non è più lui il leader|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=27 November 2013|access-date=4 March 2018}} preferring interviews with TV hosts and journalists;{{cite web|url=http://www.video.mediaset.it/video/quinta_colonna/clip/l-intervista-matteo-renzi_785495.html|title=Quinta Colonna – L'intervista a Renzi|publisher=Mediaset|language=it|date=7 December 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.raiplay.it/video/2018/01/Intervista-a-Silvio-Berlusconi---11012018-9b23332f-b4b4-4116-8eda-113b73f4b207.html|title=Porta a Porta – Intervista a Berlusconi|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=11 January 2019|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.la7.it/dimartedi/video/lintervista-a-luigi-di-maio-candidato-premier-del-m5s-16-01-2018-231606|title=L'intervista a Luigi Di Maio, candidato premier del M5S|publisher=La7|language=it|date=16 January 2018|access-date=4 March 2018}} however, many debates took places between other leading members of the main parties.{{cite web|last=Tentoni|first=Luca|date=24 February 2018|url=https://www.mentepolitica.it/articolo/elezioni-la-tv-ha-ancora-il-suo-peso/1339|title=Elezioni, la Tv ha ancora il suo peso|website=Mente Politica|language=it|access-date=17 February 2022}}

{{see also|Italian electoral law of 2017}}

File:Palazzo Montecitorio Rom 2009.jpg, seat of the Chamber of Deputies]]

As a consequence of the 2016 Italian constitutional referendum and of two different sentences of the Constitutional Court of Italy, the electoral laws for the two houses of the Italian Parliament lacked uniformity. In October 2017, the PD, AP, FI, the League, and minor parties agreed on a new electoral law,{{cite web|last=Acquavitu|first=Barbara|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2017/10/07/il-patto-a-quattro-pd-ap-lega-fi-regge-primo-ok-al-rosatellum-martedi-in-aula-alla-camera_a_23235808/|title=Il patto a quattro Pd-Ap-Lega-Fi regge. Primo ok al Rosatellum, ma da martedì in Aula entra nel mirino dei franchi tiratori|date=7 October 2017|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} which was approved by the Chamber of Deputies with 375 votes in favour and 215 against{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/10/12/news/il_rosatellum_alla_prova_del_voto_segreto_finale-178045315/|title=Rosatellum approvato alla Camera. Evitata la trappola dello scrutinio segreto. Via libera al salva-Verdini|date=12 October 2017|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=4 March 2018}} and by the Senate with 214 votes against 61; the reform was opposed by the M5S, the MDP, SI, FdI and minor parties.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/10/26/news/legge_elettorale_verdini_noi_sempre_in_maggioranza_e_ci_resteremo_-179372181/|title=Il Rosatellum bis è legge dello Stato: via libera definitivo al Senato con 214 sì|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=26 October 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}

The so-called Rosatellum bis,{{cite web|last=Acquaviva|first=Mariano|date=20 February 2018|url=https://www.laleggepertutti.it/195942_rosatellum-bis-cose-e-come-funziona|title=Rosatellum bis: cos'è e come funziona|website=La Legge per Tutti|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} named after Ettore Rosato (PD leader in the Chamber of Deputies), is a mixed electoral system, with 37% of seats allocated using a first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting and 63% using the proportional largest remainder method, with one round of voting.{{cite news|last=Falci|first=Giuseppe Alberto|url=http://www.corriere.it/politica/cards/come-funziona-rosatellum/iter_principale.shtml|title=Rosatellum, come funziona la legge elettorale e cosa prevede|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=10 March 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2017-09-21/rosatellum-20-tutti-rischi-nuovo-patto-nazareno-082520.shtml|title=Rosatellum 2.0, tutti i rischi del nuovo Patto del Nazareno|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|date=21 September 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} The 630 deputies were to be elected as follows:{{cite news|last1=Chughtai|first1=Alia|title=Understanding Italian elections 2018|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2018/03/understanding-italian-elections-2018-180303214146994.html|access-date=6 March 2018|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 March 2018}}

• 232 in single-member constituencies by plurality;
• 386 in multi-member constituencies by national proportional representation;
• 12 in multi-member abroad constituencies by constituency proportional representation.

The 315 elective senators were to be elected as follows:

• 116 in single-member constituencies by plurality;
• 193 in multi-member constituencies by regional proportional representation;
• 6 in multi-member abroad constituencies by constituency proportional representation.

A small, variable number of senators for life were to be members of the Senate.

File:Plico elettorale 2018 America Meridionale.jpg]]

For Italian residents, each house members were to be elected in single ballots, including the constituency candidate and his/her supporting party lists. In each single-member constituency, the deputy or senator is elected on a plurality basis, while the seats in multi-member constituencies are allocated nationally. In order to be calculated in single-member constituency results, parties need to obtain at least 1% of the national vote. In order to receive seats in multi-member constituencies, parties need to obtain at least 3% of the national vote. Elects from multi-member constituencies would come from closed lists.{{cite news|last1=Cavallaro|first1=Matteo|last2=Pregliasco|first2=Lorenzo|title='Hand-to-hand' combat in Italy's election|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-electoral-law-turns-campaign-into-hand-to-hand-battle/|access-date=6 March 2018|work=Politico|date=15 January 2018}}

The voting paper, which is a single one for the first-past-the-post and the proportional systems, shows the names of the candidates to single-member constituencies and in close conjunction with them the symbols of the linked lists for the proportional part, each one with a list of the relative candidates.{{cite news|url=http://www.today.it/politica/elezioni/politiche-2018/come-si-vota.html|title=Elezioni, come si vota con il Rosatellum, debutta la nuova scheda elettorale|work=Today|language=it|date=20 October 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}} The voter was able to cast their vote in three different ways:{{cite news|publisher=AGI|language=it|url=https://www.agi.it/politica/rosatellum_come_funziona-2295382/news/2017-10-27/|title=Il Rosatellum bis è legge. Ma come funziona?|date=23 July 2017|access-date=4 March 2018}}

• Drawing a sign on the symbol of a list: in this case the vote extends to the candidate in the single-member constituency that is supported by that list.
• Drawing a sign on the name of the candidate of the single-member constituency and another one on the symbol of one list that supports them; the result is the same as that described above. Under penalty of annulmentit, the panachage is not allowed, so the voter cannot vote simultaneously for a candidate in the FPTP constituency and for a list which is not linked to them.
• Drawing a sign only on the name of the candidate for the FPTP constituency, without indicating any list. In this case, the vote is valid for the candidate in the single-member constituency and also automatically extended to the list that supports them; however, if that candidate is connected to several lists, the vote is divided proportionally between them, based on the votes that each one has obtained in that constituency.

Below are the main electoral lists that are running in the election.{{cite web|url=https://dait.interno.gov.it/elezioni/trasparenza/politiche2018|title=Elezioni trasparenti. Politiche 2018|date=3 February 2018 |publisher=Italian Minister of the Interior|language=it}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

{{main|Opinion polling for the 2018 Italian general election}}

[[File:OpinionPollingItalyGeneralElection2018.png|thumb|center|800px|Six-point average trend line of poll results from 25 February 2013 to election day, with each line corresponding to a political party

{{columns-list|colwidth=250px|

{{legend-line|#F0001C solid 5px|PD}}

{{legend-line|#FFEB3B solid 5px|M5S}}

{{legend-line|#0087DC solid 5px|PdL/FI}}

{{legend-line|#5C9EDB solid 5px|NCD/AP}}

{{legend-line|#1560BD solid 5px|SC}}

{{legend-line|#008800 solid 5px|LN}}

{{legend-line|#C80815 solid 5px|SEL/SI}}

{{legend-line|#00005A solid 5px|FdI}}

{{legend-line|#87CEFA solid 5px|UDC}}

}}]]

File:Voting at a polling station in Rome, 4 March 2018 (39899573544).jpg]]

The centre-right coalition emerged with a plurality of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate, while the anti-establishment Five Star Movement became the party with the largest number of votes. The centre-left coalition came third. As no political group or party won an outright majority, the election resulted in a hung parliament.

{{bar box

|title=Popular vote (party)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|32.68}}

{{bar percent|PD|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|18.76}}

{{bar percent|Lega|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|17.35}}

{{Bar percent|FI|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|14.00}}

{{bar percent|FdI|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|4.35}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|3.39}}

{{bar percent|+E|{{party color|More Europe}}|2.56}}

{{bar percent|NcI|{{party color|Us with Italy}}|1.30}}

{{bar percent|PaP|{{party color|Power to the People (Italy)}}|1.13}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|4.48}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Seat distribution (party)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|36.03}}

{{bar percent|Lega|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|19.84}}

{{bar percent|PD|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|17.78}}

{{Bar percent|FI|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|16.51}}

{{bar percent|FdI|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|5.07}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|2.22}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|2.55}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Popular vote (coalition)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|CDX|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|37.00}}

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|32.68}}

{{bar percent|CSX|{{party color|Centre-left coalition (Italy)}}|22.86}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|3.39}}

{{bar percent|PaP|{{party color|Power to the People (Italy)}}|1.13}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|2.96}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Seat distribution (coalition)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|CDX|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|42.06}}

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|36.03}}

{{bar percent|CSX|{{party color|Centre-left coalition (Italy)}}|19.36}}

{{bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|2.22}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|0.33}}

}}

File:2018 Italian general election - Chamber of Deputies - Single-member constituencies - Lists.svg

File:Italian 2018 elections Chamber of Deputies constituencies.svg

{{main|2018 Italian general election in Aosta Valley}}

The autonomous region of Aosta Valley, in northwestern Italy, elects one member to the Chamber of Deputies through a direct first-past-the-post election. Some parties that formed electoral coalitions in Italy, might have opted to run against one another (or form different coalitions) in this particular region.

Source: {{Cite web |url=http://elezioni.interno.gov.it/camera/scrutini/20180304/scrutiniCI27000000000 |title=Eligendo: Camera [Scrutini] Collegio uninominale VALLE D'AOSTA - 01 (Italia) - Camera dei Deputati del 4 marzo 2018 |website=Ministero dell'Interno |language=Italian |accessdate=5 March 2018 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403171037/http://elezioni.interno.gov.it/camera/scrutini/20180304/scrutiniCI27000000000 |url-status=dead }}

Twelve members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected by Italians abroad. Two members are elected for North America and Central America (including most of the Caribbean), four members for South America (including Trinidad and Tobago), five members for Europe, and one member for the rest of the world (Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica). Voters in these regions select candidate lists and cast a preference vote for individual candidates. The seats are allocated by proportional representation. The electoral law allows for parties to form different coalitions on the lists abroad, compared to the lists in Italy; Forza Italia, the League, and Brothers of Italy formed a unified list for abroad constituencies.{{cite web|url=http://www.affaritaliani.it/coffee/video/politica/elezioni--salvini-berlusconi-meloni--il-tricolore-il-simbolo-del-centro-destra-per-estero.html|title=Elezioni, 'Salvini, Berlusconi, Meloni' e il tricolore, il simbolo del centro-destra per l'estero|website=Affaritaliani|language=it|date=21 January 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}}

{{bar box

|title=Popular vote (party)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|32.22}}

{{bar percent|PD|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|19.14}}

{{bar percent|Lega|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|17.61}}

{{Bar percent|FI|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|14.43}}

{{bar percent|FdI|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|4.26}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|3.28}}

{{bar percent|+E|{{party color|More Europe}}|2.37}}

{{bar percent|NcI|{{party color|Us with Italy}}|1.20}}

{{bar percent|PaP|{{party color|Power to the People (Italy)}}|1.06}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|4.43}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Seat distribution (party)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|35.56}}

{{bar percent|Lega|{{party color|Lega (political party)}}|18.41}}

{{Bar percent|FI|{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}|18.09}}

{{bar percent|PD|{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}|16.83}}

{{bar percent|FdI|{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}|5.71}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|1.27}}

{{Bar percent|NcI|{{party color|Us with Italy}}|1.27}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|2.86}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Popular vote (coalition)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|CDX|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|37.50}}

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|32.22}}

{{bar percent|CSX|{{party color|Centre-left coalition (Italy)}}|23.00}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|3.28}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|4.00}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Seat distribution (coalition)

|titlebar=#ddd

|width=550px

|barwidth=500px

|bars=

{{bar percent|CDX|{{party color|Centre-right coalition (Italy)}}|42.86}}

{{bar percent|M5S|{{party color|Five Star Movement}}|35.56}}

{{bar percent|CSX|{{party color|Centre-left coalition (Italy)}}|18.41}}

{{Bar percent|LeU|{{party color|Free and Equal (Italy)}}|1.27}}

{{bar percent|Others|{{party color|Other}}|1.90}}

}}

File:2018 Italian general election - Senate - Single-member constituencies - Lists.svg

File:Italian 2018 elections Senate constituencies.svg

Source: {{Cite web |url=http://elezioni.interno.gov.it/senato/scrutini/20180304/scrutiniSI02000000000 |title=Eligendo: Senato [Scrutini] Collegio uninominale VALLE D'AOSTA - 01 (Italia) - Senato della Repubblica del 4 marzo 2018 |website=Ministero dell'Interno |language=Italian |accessdate=5 March 2018}}

Di Maio and Renzi run in a single-member constituency, respectively in Acerra, near Naples, for the Chamber of Deputies and in Florence for the Senate. Salvini ran in many multi-member constituencies through the country and he was elected in Calabria due to the mechanism of the electoral law,{{cite news|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/salvini-vince-sua-sfida-eletto-anche-calabria-1501670.html|title=Salvini vince la sua sfida: eletto anche in Calabria|first=Raffaello|last=Binelli|work=Il Giornale|language=it|date=6 March 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}} while Meloni was elected in the single-member constituency of Latina, Lazio, for the Chamber of Deputies.{{cite web|url=https://elezionistorico.interno.gov.it/index.php?tpel=C&dtel=04/03/2018&tpa=I&tpe=L&lev0=0&levsut0=0&lev1=16&levsut1=1&lev2=2&levsut2=2&levsut3=3&ne1=16&ne2=162&es0=S&es1=S&es2=S&es3=S&ms=S&ne3=1624&lev3=4|title=Elezioni Camera 4 marzo 2018 – Collegio di Latina|website=Eligendo Archivio|language=it|date=4 March 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}}

Using the Gallagher index, the disproportionality of the Chamber of Deputies in the election was 5.50, while for the Senate of the Republic it was 6.12.

{{see also|2018 Italian government formation|}}

File:Meloni Salvini Berlusconi.jpg's delegation at the Quirinal Palace (Giorgia Meloni, Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi)]]

After the election's results were known, both Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini stated that they must receive from President Sergio Mattarella the task of forming a new cabinet because they led the largest party and the largest coalition, respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2018-03-05/terremoto-pd-renzi-si-dimette-salvini-la-lega-ha-vinto-e-guidera-governo-maio-dato-storico-112905.shtml|title=Salvini: 'La Lega guiderà governo'. Di Maio: 'Inizia Terza Repubblica'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=5 March 2018|access-date=5 March 2018}} On 5 March, Matteo Renzi announced that the Democratic Party (PD) would be in the opposition during this legislature and he would resign as party leader when a new cabinet is formed.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/05/news/elezioni_2018_renzi_si_dimette-190497785/|title=Renzi: 'Lascerò dopo nuovo governo. Pd all'opposizione'. Ma è scontro nel partito: 'Via subito'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=5 March 2018|access-date=5 March 2018}} On 6 March, Salvini repeated his campaign message that his party would refuse any coalition with the Five Star Movement (M5S).{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/italien-das-sind-die-ziele-der-populisten-salvini-und-di-maio-15481130-p2.html|title=Was die Populisten wirklich wollen|date=6 March 2018|newspaper=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|language=de|last=Rüb|first=Matthias}} On 14 March, Salvini offered to govern with the M5S, imposing the condition that the League ally Forza Italia, led by the former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, must also take part in any coalition. Di Maio rejected this proposal on the grounds that Salvini was "choosing restoration instead of revolution" because "Berlusconi represents the past".{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-coalition-salvini-open-5stars/|title=Italy's Salvini open to coalition with 5Stars|date=14 March 2018|work=Politico|access-date=8 April 2018}}

On 12 March, Renzi resigned as party leader and was replaced by deputy secretary Maurizio Martina.{{cite news|last=Tanner|first=Simon|date=8 March 2018|url=https://www.corriere.it/english/18_marzo_08/renzi-resigns-and-hands-over-running-of-pd-to-martina-67d0d70e-22e9-11e8-a740-dc76cebf8197.shtml|title=Renzi resigns and hands over running of PD to Martina|work=Corriere della Sera|access-date=17 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Zampano|first=Giada|date=12 March 2018|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-resignation-exit-stage-left-italy-elections-pd/|title=Matteo Renzi, exit stage left|work=Politico|access-date=17 February 2022}} On 24 March, the centre-right coalition and the M5S agreed on the election of presidents of the houses of parliament, Roberto Fico of the M5S for the Chamber of Deputies and Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati of FI for the Senate of the Republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/rom-italienische-wahlsieger-einigen-sich-auf-parlamentspraesidenten-a-1199763.html|title=Italienische Wahlsieger einigen sich auf Parlamentspräsidenten|date=24 March 2018|work=Der Spiegel}}{{cite web|url=https://www.suedtirolnews.it/video/italienische-wahlsieger-einigen-sich-auf-parlamentspraesidenten|title=Italienische Wahlsieger einigen sich auf Parlamentspräsidenten [1:10]|date=25 March 2018|website=Südtirol News|language=de|access-date=29 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012252/https://www.suedtirolnews.it/video/italienische-wahlsieger-einigen-sich-auf-parlamentspraesidenten|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:Di_Maio_Toninelli_Grillo.jpg with Danilo Toninelli and Giulia Grillo)]]

On 7 April, Di Maio made an appeal to the PD to "bury the hatchet" and consider a governing coalition with the M5S.{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/five-star-movement-m5s-courts-democratic-party-pd-for-italian-coalition/a-43291746|title=Five Star Movement (M5S) courts Democratic Party (PD) for Italian coalition|publisher=Deutsche Welle|access-date=8 April 2018}} On 18 April, President Sergio Mattarella gave newly-elected Senate president Casellati a so-called "exploratory mandate" to form a government of M5S and the centre-right coalition, with a two-day deadline.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a478c4a2-4312-11e8-803a-295c97e6fd0b|work=Financial Times|access-date=18 April 2018|date=18 April 2018|title=Italian president makes fresh push to form government}} On 23 April, President Mattarella gave newly-elected Chamber of Deputies president Fico an "exploratory mandate" to form a government between M5S and the PD, with a three-day deadline. The decision came after the previous attempt by Casellati failed to show any progress.{{cite news|date=23 April 2018|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-23/center-right-ahead-in-molise-amid-italian-government-impasse|title=Italy Picks New Mediator in Search for Government Majority|publisher=Bllomberg|access-date=24 April 2018}} On 30 April, following an interview of Renzi, who expressed his strong opposition to an alliance with the M5S, Di Maio called for new elections.{{Cite news|url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2018-04/italien-regierungsbildung-fuenf-sterne-bewegung-luigi-di-maio-sergio-mattarella-parlament-verhandlungen|title=Fünf-Sterne-Bewegung fordert Neuwahlen|newspaper=Die Zeit|date=30 April 2018 |language=de|access-date=30 April 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/italien-fuenf-sterne-bewegung-ruft-zu-neuwahlen-auf-a-1205558.html|title=Fünf-Sterne-Bewegung verlangt Neuwahlen|newspaper=Der Spiegel|language=de|date=30 April 2018|access-date=30 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nachrichten.at/nachrichten/politik/aussenpolitik/Ratlosigkeit-in-Rom-Sind-Neuwahlen-noetig;art391,2885130|title=Ratlosigkeit in Rom: Sind Neuwahlen nötig?|website=OÖNachrichten|language=de|access-date=2 May 2018}}

On 7 May, President Mattarella held a third round of government formation talks, after which he formally confirmed the lack of any possible majority (the M5S rejecting an alliance with the whole centre-right coalition, the PD rejecting an alliance with both the M5S and the centre-right coalition, and the League's Salvini refusing to start a government with the M5S without Berlusconi's FI, whose presence in the government was explicitly vetoed by M5S's Di Maio); on the same circumstance, he announced his intention to soon appoint a "neutral government" (irrespective of the M5S and the League's refusal to support such an option) to take over from the Gentiloni Cabinet, which was considered unable to lead Italy into a second consecutive election, as it was representing a majority from a past legislature, and offering an early election in July as a realistic option to take into consideration due to the deadlock situation.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/07/sergio-mattarella-italian-president-neutral-government|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 May 2018|date=7 May 2018|title=Italian president says 'neutral' government should lead until end of year}}

File:Carlo Cottarelli Quirinale.jpg at the Quirinal Palace]]

On 9 May, after a day of rumours, both the M5S and the League officially requested President Mattarella to give them 24 more hours to strike a government agreement between the two parties.{{cite news|url= https://www.ft.com/content/b253e5a4-53a0-11e8-b3ee-41e0209208ec|work=Financial Times|access-date= 9 May 2018|date=9 May 2018|title=Italy's populist parties given 24 hours to avert fresh elections}} Later in the evening that same day, Berlusconi publicly announced that FI would not support a M5S–League government on a vote of confidence but would still maintain the centre-right alliance, opening the doors to a possible majority government between the two parties.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/09/news/governo_salvini_ci_provero_fino_all_ultimo_-195890439/|work=La Repubblica|access-date=9 May 2018|date=9 May 2018|title=Governo M5S-Lega, Berlusconi: nessun veto all'intesa ma no alla fiducia|language=it}}

On 13 May, the M5S and the League reached an agreement on a government program, clearing the way for the formation of a governing coalition between the two parties, while they still negotiated the members of a government cabinet, including the prime minister. The M5S and League leaders were slated to meet with President Mattarella on 14 May to guide the formation of a new government.{{cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/italys-populist-5-star-league-parties-reach-deal-on-government-program-2018-05-13|publisher=MarketWatch|date=13 May 2018|title=Italy's populist 5 Star, League parties reach deal on government program|access-date=13 May 2018}} On 17 May, the M5S and the League agreed to the details regarding the government program, officially clearing the way for the formation of a governing coalition between the two parties.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-idUSKCN1II1GB|title=Italian parties agree government program, say no threat to euro|date=18 May 2018|publisher=Reuters|access-date=18 May 2018}} The final draft of their program was then published on 18 May.{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180518-italy-5-star-movement-league-publish-anti-austerity-government-programme|title=Italy's 5-Star Movement and League publish anti-austerity government programme|date=18 May 2018|website=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=17 February 2022}}

On 18 May, 44,796 members of the M5S cast their vote online on the matter concerning the government agreement, with 42,274, more than 94%, voting in favour.{{cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20180519/italy-awaits-pm-nominee-after-populists-unveil-government-programme|title=Italy awaits PM nominee after populists unveil government programme|date=19 May 2018|website=The Local|access-date=19 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-idUSKCN1IJ2KQ|title=Italy's 5-star members back coalition program with League in online...|date=18 May 2018|publisher=Reuters}} A second vote sponsored by the League then took place on 19 May and 20 May, and was open to the general public.{{cite news|date=18 May 2018|title=Italy's Populist League Gives Public a Say on Coalition Program|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-18/league-gives-all-italians-a-chance-to-vote-on-coalition-program|access-date=2020-09-26|publisher=Bloomberg}} On 20 May, it was announced that approximately 215,000 Italian citizens had participated in the League election, with around 91 percent supporting the government agreement.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-ballot-idUSKCN1IL07X|title=Italians back League, 5-Star plan as groups ready government team|date=20 May 2018|publisher=Reuters|access-date=20 May 2018}}

On 21 May, the M5S and the League proposed law professor Giuseppe Conte as Prime Minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44197351|title=Italy populists name PM candidate|date=21 May 2018|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 May 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/italys-5-star-league-to-seek-presidents-backing-on-government-pm-idUSKCN1IM0R4|title=Italian president hesitates as novice put forward as premier|last=Giorgio|first=Massimiliano Di|work=U.S.|access-date=21 May 2018}} On 23 May, Conte was invited to the Quirinal Palace to receive the task of forming a new cabinet and was granted a mandate by President Mattarella.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-populists-premier-presidential-mandate-55386036|title=The Latest: Populists' premier gets presidential mandate|website=ABC News|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524005429/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-populists-premier-presidential-mandate-55386036|archive-date=24 May 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/23/news/governo_conte_torna_in_bilico_tempi_piu_lunghi_mattarella_vuole_riflettere-197118162/|title=Di Battista all'attacco di Mattarella: 'Non si opponga agli italiani'. La lunga giornata del Colle|date=23 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=23 May 2018}} On 27 May, the designated Prime Minister Conte renounced to his office due to contrasts between the League's leader Salvini and President Mattarella. Salvini proposed the university professor Paolo Savona as Minister of Economy and Finances, but Mattarella opposed him, considering Savona too Eurosceptic and anti-German.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/27/news/governo_conte_mattarella_savona-197450521/|title=Governo, il giorno della rinuncia di Conte. Ecco come è fallita la trattativa su Savona|date=27 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=27 May 2018}} In his speech after Conte's resignation, Mattarella declared that the two parties wanted to bring Italy out of the eurozone; as the guarantor of the Constitution of Italy and country's interest and stability, he could not allow this.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2018/05/27/lora-piu-buia-di-mattarella-la-scelta-obbligata-di-difendere-linteresse-nazionale-dopo-il-no-dei-partiti-alla-soluzione-giorgetti-per-leconomia_a_23444708/|title=L'ora più buia di Mattarella: la scelta obbligata di difendere l'interesse nazionale dopo il no dei partiti alla soluzione Giorgetti per l'Economia|date=27 May 2018|website=L'Huffington Post|language=it|access-date=27 May 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/27/news/governo_dopo_le_minacce_di_impeachment_sui_social_parte_la_solidarieta_a_mattarella-197516727/|title=Governo, firme e tweet di solidarietà a Mattarella. Ma spuntano anche minacce di morte|date=27 May 2018|website=Repubblica.it}} On the following day, Mattarella gave Carlo Cottarelli, an economist and former IMF director, the task of forming a new government.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/28/news/salvini_radio_capital_centrodestra-197543015/|title=Cottarelli accetta l'incarico: 'Senza fiducia il Paese al voto dopo agosto'|date=28 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|access-date=28 May 2018|language=it}}

File:Giuseppe Conte nel corso delle dichiarazioni in occasione del conferimento dell'incarico - 23 maggio 2018.jpg at the Quirinal Palace]]

In the statement released after the designation, Cottarelli specified that in case of confidence by the Italian Parliament, he would contribute to the approval of the budget law for 2019, then Parliament would be dissolved and a new general election would be called for the beginning of 2019. In the absence of confidence, the government would deal only with the so-called current affairs and lead the country toward new elections after August 2018. Cottarelli also guaranteed the neutrality of the government and the commitment not to run for the next election.{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/18_maggio_28/cottarelli-accetta-formare-governo-la-fiducia-voto-2019-senza-agosto-5a649d4e-6263-11e8-bb5f-63b58f0e7bef_preview.shtml|title=Cottarelli accetta di formare il governo: con la fiducia al voto nel 2019, senza dopo agosto|work=Corriere della Sera|access-date=29 May 2018|language=it}} He ensured a prudent management of Italian national debt and the defense of national interests through a constructive dialogue with the European Union.{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2018/05/28/mattarella-contro-lintolleranza-fedelta-a-democrazia-_41bb3f5f-bf73-4c20-9c18-189e789d57f6.html|title=Governo, Mattarella dà l'incarico. Cottarelli: 'Senza fiducia elezioni dopo agosto'|date=28 May 2018|publisher=ANSA|access-date=29 May 2018|language=it}}

On 28 May 2018, the PD announced that they would vote the confidence to Cottarelli, while the M5S and the centre-right parties FI, the League, and Brothers of Italy (FdI) announced their vote against.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/28/news/salvini_se_berlusconi_lo_vota_addio_alleanza_-197549039/|title=Berlusconi: 'No alla fiducia e centrodestra unito al voto'. Ma Salvini: 'Alleanza con Fi? Ci penserò'|date=28 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|access-date=29 May 2018|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/28/news/franceschini_pd_renzi_martina-197570543/|title=Pd, Martina: 'Fiducia a Cottarelli'. Renzi: 'Salviamo il Paese'. E i dem: manifestazione nazionale a Roma il 1° giugno|date=28 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|access-date=29 May 2018|language=it}} Cottarelli was expected to submit his list of ministers for approval to President Mattarella on 29 May. On 29 May and 30 May, he held only informal consultations with Mattarella. According to the Italian media, he was facing difficulties due to the unwillingness of several potential candidates to serve as ministers in his cabinet and may even renounce. Meanwhile, Salvini and Di Maio announced their willingness to restart the negotiations to form a political government, and the FdI leader Giorgia Meloni gave her support to the initiative.{{cite news|url=https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/politica/18_maggio_30/governo-cottarelli-quirinale-mattarella-61982f12-63d6-11e8-9b4c-0d37dd8c9cfa.shtml|title=Incontro informale in corso tra Cottarelli e MattarellaI tre scenari possibili|work=Corriere della Sera|access-date=30 May 2018|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/30/news/trattativa_m5s_lega_cottarelli_colle-197707709/|title=Governo, Cottarelli vede Mattarella. Ora al lavoro alla Camera. Riparte la trattativa giallo-verde|date=30 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|access-date=30 May 2018|language=it}}{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/politica/2018/05/29/news/di_maio_spero_voto_prima_possibile_ma_pronti_a_collaborare_con_mattarella_-197682177/|title=Di Maio: 'Impeachment non più sul tavolo'. E si riapre l'ipotesi di un governo Lega-M5s|date=29 May 2018|work=La Repubblica|access-date=30 May 2018|language=it}} The government was formed the following day.{{cite news|last1=Di Giorgio|first1=Massimiliano|last2=Jones|first2=Gavin|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-idUSKCN1IX49T|title=Italy's Conte sworn in as PM of anti-establishment government|publisher=Reuters|access-date=17 February 2022}}

{{Commons category}}

; Pre-2018 general election

{{div col|colwidth=21em}}

• 2013 Italian local elections
• 2013 Italian regional elections
• 2014 European Parliament election
• 2014 Italian local elections
• 2015 Italian presidential election
• 2015 Italian local elections
• 2015 Italian regional elections
• 2016 Italian local elections
• 2017 Democratic Party (Italy) leadership election
• 2017 Five Star Movement primary election
• 2017 Italian local elections
• 2017 Lega Nord leadership election

{{div col end}}

; Post-2018 general election

{{div col|colwidth=21em}}

• 2018 Italian local elections
• 2018 Italian regional elections
• 2019 Democratic Party (Italy) leadership election
• 2019 European Parliament election in Italy
• 2019 Italian local elections
• 2019 Italian regional elections
• 2020 Italian local elections
• 2020 Italian regional elections
• 2021 Five Star Movement leadership election
• 2021 Italian local elections
• 2021 Italian regional elections
• 2022 Italian presidential election
• 2022 Italian local elections
• 2022 Italian regional elections
• List of elections in 2022

{{div col end}}

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

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• {{cite journal|last1=Chiaramonte|first1=Alessandro|last2=Emanuele|first2=Vincenzo|last3=Maggini|first3=Nicola|last4=Paparo|first4=Aldo|year=2018|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327407878|title=Populist Success in a Hung Parliament: The 2018 General Election in Italy|journal=South European Society and Politics|volume=23|issue=4|pages=479–501|doi=10.1080/13608746.2018.1506513|hdl=2434/773028 |s2cid=158410717 |access-date=19 February 2022|via=ResearchGate|hdl-access=free}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Chiaramonte|first1=Alessandro|last2=Maggini|first2=Nicola|year=2019|url=https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/64764/Euroscepticism%20behind%20the%20Victory%20of%20Eurosceptic%20Parties%20in%20the%202018%20Italian%20General%20Election_AcceptedVersion.pdf?sequence=1|title=Euroscepticism Behind the Victory of Eurosceptic Parties in the 2018 Italian General Election?: Not Exactly|journal=Journal of Common Market Studies|volume=57|issue=1|pages=77–89|doi=10.1111/jcms.12930|hdl=2434/772865 |s2cid=211332632 |access-date=19 February 2022|via=Cadmus}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Giannetti|first1=Daniela|last2=Pinto|first2=Luca|last3=Plescia|first3=Carolina|year=2020|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340272396|title=The First Conte Government: 'Government of Change' or Business As Usual?|journal=Contemporary Italian Politics|volume=12|issue=2|pages=182–199|doi=10.1080/23248823.2020.1745512|s2cid=216268428 |access-date=19 February 2022|via=ResearchGate}}
• {{cite journal|last=Paparo|first=Aldo|year=2018|url=https://italianpoliticalscience.com/index.php/ips/article/view/36/29|title=Challenger's Delight: The Results of the 2018 Italian General Election|journal=Italian Political Science|volume=13|issue=1|pages=63–81|access-date=19 February 2022}}

{{Italian elections}}

Category:2018 elections in Italy

2018

Category:March 2018 in Italy