2022 Italian general election

In the 2018 Italian general election, held on 4 March, no political group or party won an outright majority, resulting in a hung parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/elezioni-2018/notizie/elezioni-2018-exit-poll-risultati-proiezioni-spoglio-eb21387e-1ff1-11e8-a09a-92b478235f6f.shtml|title=Elezioni 2018: M5S primo partito, nel centrodestra la Lega supera FI|first=Alessandro|last=Sala|year=2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/italy-election-to-result-in-hung-parliament/a-42823814|title=Italy election to result in hung parliament|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=5 March 2018|access-date=17 February 2022}} The centre-right coalition, in which Matteo Salvini's League emerged as the main political force, won a plurality of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate, while the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) led by Luigi Di Maio became the party with the largest number of votes. The centre-left coalition, led by Matteo Renzi of the governing Democratic Party (PD), came third.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/|title=Elezioni politiche: vincono M5s e Lega. Crollo del Partito democratico. Centrodestra prima coalizione. Il Carroccio sorpassa Forza Italia|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=4 March 2018|access-date=21 July 2022}} Due to the PD and centre-left's poor results, Renzi resigned on 12 March, his place being taken ad interim by Maurizio Martina.{{cite web|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=11 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/12/matteo-renzi-resigns-leader-democratic-party-italy-poll-defeat|title=Matteo Renzi resigns as leader of Democratic party after poll defeat|work=The Guardian|date=12 March 2018|access-date=13 February 2022}}

The League continued the Italian nationalist turn it took into the 2018 general election. In October 2018, the League was founded as a sister party to promote Salvini's candidature as Prime Minister of Italy. 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. The League's statute presented it as a nationalist and souverainist party.{{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}} On 22 January 2020, four days before the regional elections, Di Maio resigned as the M5S leader, and was replaced ad interim by Vito Crimi.{{cite news|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela|date=22 January 2020|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/22/luigi-di-maio-resigns-as-leader-of-italys-five-star-movement|title=Luigi Di Maio resigns as leader of Italy's Five Star Movement|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=20 February 2022}}

As a result of the hung parliament, protracted negotiations were required before a new government could be formed. The talks between the M5S and League resulted in the proposal of the self-declared government of change under the leadership of Giuseppe Conte, a university law professor close to the M5S.{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2018/05/23/conte-says-to-be-italians-defence-lawyer-in-govt-of-change_3294ff64-f175-4f2d-8323-c775d270645c.html|url-status=live|title=Conte says to be Italians' defence lawyer in govt of change|publisher=ANSA|date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204540/http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2018/05/23/conte-says-to-be-italians-defence-lawyer-in-govt-of-change_3294ff64-f175-4f2d-8323-c775d270645c.html|archive-date=29 May 2018|access-date=19 February 2022}} After some bickering with President Sergio Mattarella,{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2018/05/27/mattarella-meets-conte-vetoed-savona_48b12bb2-f239-462d-83db-fca1f68d70b6.html|url-status=live|title=Mattarella meets Conte, 'vetoed' Savona|publisher=ANSA|date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204506/http://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2018/05/27/mattarella-meets-conte-vetoed-savona_48b12bb2-f239-462d-83db-fca1f68d70b6.html|archive-date=29 May 2018|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2018/05/27/conte-drops-govt-bid_e9254d0f-03bd-4699-8599-8ec8edbcf626.html|url-status=live|title=Conte drops govt bid|publisher=ANSA|date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204539/http://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2018/05/27/conte-drops-govt-bid_e9254d0f-03bd-4699-8599-8ec8edbcf626.html|archive-date=29 May 2018|access-date=19 February 2022}} Conte's cabinet, which was dubbed by the media the "first all-populist government" in Western Europe,{{cite news|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/politica/2018/05/11/italia-primo-regime-populista-europa-occidentale_ACfIrXYfVRuN9kbkERbm1L.html|url-status=live|title=Italia primo governo populista in Europa occidentale|publisher=Adnkronos|language=it|date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401043020/https://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/politica/2018/05/11/italia-primo-regime-populista-europa-occidentale_ACfIrXYfVRuN9kbkERbm1L.html|archive-date=1 April 2019|access-date=10 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Lyman|first=Eric J.|date=22 May 2018|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/22/giuseppe-conte-italy-prime-minister/632744002/|url-status=live|title=Giuseppe Conte: Italy's next PM to form western Europe's first populist government|work=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724043047/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/22/giuseppe-conte-italy-prime-minister/632744002/|archive-date=24 July 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/opinion/populists-rome-five-star-movement.html|url-status=live|title=Opinion – The Populists Take Rome|work=The New York Times|date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401070043/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/opinion/populists-rome-five-star-movement.html|archive-date=1 April 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} was sworn in on 1 June.{{cite news|url=https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/politica/18_maggio_31/governo-conte-moavero-milanesi-esteri-savona-affari-europei-564a07a8-64f7-11e8-95f7-d0bed95533ca.shtml|url-status=live|title=Governo Conte, la lista di tutti i ministri: Salvini all'Interno e Di Maio al Welfare. Saranno vicepremier|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601060250/https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/politica/18_maggio_31/governo-conte-moavero-milanesi-esteri-savona-affari-europei-564a07a8-64f7-11e8-95f7-d0bed95533ca.shtml|archive-date=1 June 2018|access-date=19 February 2022}}

The 2019 European Parliament election was a win for the League, which obtained 34 percent of the vote and 20 seats, more than any other party in the country.{{cite news|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela|date=27 May 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/27/matteo-salvini-far-right-league-party-tops-italy-eu-election-polls|title=Salvini's far-right party tops Italy's EU election polls|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=19 February 2022}} In August 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced a motion of no confidence against Conte after growing tensions within the majority.{{cite news|url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Salvini-Subito-in-Aula-poi-le-elezioni-Conte-Dovra-spiegare-le-ragioni-della-crisi-648408f5-df6c-49f8-bf6d-a73532bd60ab.html|title=La Lega presenta al Senato una mozione di sfiducia a Conte. M5S attacca Salvini: 'Giullare'|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=9 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2019/08/07/tav-senato-mozioni-m5s/|title=Il Senato ha bocciato la mozione del M5S sulla TAV|work=Il Post|language=it|date=7 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} Many political analysts believe the no confidence motion was an attempt to force early elections to improve the League's standing in the Italian Parliament, ensuring Salvini could become the next Prime Minister.{{cite news|last=Squires|first=Nick|date=9 August 2019|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/09/italys-league-files-no-confidence-motion-prime-minister-inbid/|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Italy's League files no confidence motion in prime minister in bid to trigger election|work=The Telegraph|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/09/italys-league-files-no-confidence-motion-prime-minister-inbid/|archive-date=12 January 2022|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cbignore}} On 20 August, following the parliamentary debate in which he accused Salvini of being a political opportunist who "had triggered the political crisis only to serve his personal interest",{{cite news|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela|date=20 August 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/italian-pm-expected-resign-giuseppe-conte|title=Italian PM resigns with attack on 'opportunist' Salvini|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=19 February 2022}} Prime Minister Conte resigned his post to President Mattarella.{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=20 August 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/world/europe/italy-pm-giuseppe-conte-resign.html|title=Italy's Government Collapses, Turning Chaos Into Crisis|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=19 February 2022}} Meanwhile, the M5S started a decline in both opinion polls, deputies and senators, and election results, starting with the 2019 European Parliament election.{{cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20190527/winners-losers-italy-eu-election-results/|title=The biggest winners and losers in Italy's EU election results|newspaper=The Local Italy|date=27 May 2019|access-date=20 February 2022}} After the meagre results, Di Maio won a vote of confidence in his leadership and pledged to reform the party.{{cite web|last=Luke|first=Hurst|date=31 May 2019|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/30/italy-s-5-star-leader-and-deputy-pm-luigi-di-maio-wins-party-confidence-vote|title=Italy's 5-Star leader and deputy PM Luigi Di Maio wins party confidence vote|website=Euronews|access-date=20 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/5-star-members-backs-di-maio-to-stay-after-eu-election-rout/|title=5-Star members back Di Maio to stay after EU election rout|website=Euractiv|date=31 May 2019|access-date=20 February 2022}} In the general election held in March 2018, the M5S had won 227 deputies and 112 senators; by February 2022, the party had declined to 157 deputies and 62 senators, though it remained the biggest party in the parliament.{{cite web|url=https://www.camera.it/leg18/46|title=XVIII Legislatura – Deputati e Organi – Composizione Gruppi parlamentari|publisher=Chamber of Deputies|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.senato.it/leg/18/BGT/Schede/Gruppi/Grp.html|title=Composizione dei gruppi parlamentari XVIII Legislatura|publisher=Senate of the Republic|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}

On 21 August President Mattarella started the consultations with all the parliamentary groups. On the same day, the national direction of the PD officially opened to a cabinet with the M5S, based on pro-Europeanism, a green economy, sustainable development, the fight against economic inequality, and a new immigration policy.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/08/21/news/governo_il_testo_integrale_della_relazione_di_zingaretti_alla_direzione_pd-234041294/|title=Governo, Zingaretti: 'I 5 punti per trattare con il M5S. No accordicchi, governo di svolta'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=21 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} As the talks resulted in an unclear outcome, President Mattarella announced a second round of consultation for 27 or 28 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/notizia_3228185201902a.shtml|url-status=live|title=Crisi di governo, secondo giro di consultazioni al Colle|website=TGcom24|language=it|date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827201916/https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/notizia_3228185201902a.shtml|archive-date=27 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} In the days that preceded the second round, a confrontation between the PD and the M5S started,{{cite news|title=Ecco l'accordo sul Conte bis: Zingaretti dà il via libera, nodo su ministeri e manovra|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/ce-laccordo-sul-conte-bis-da-pd-e-m5s-via-libera-a-governo-con-tutti-i-big/|work=Fanpage|language=it|date=26 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} while the left-wing parliamentary group LeU announced its support for a potential M5S–PD cabinet.{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2019/08/19/grasso-possibile-intesa-m5s-pd-leu_301fb033-f640-4d0f-bba3-ea37eb594c9b.html|title=Grasso, possibile intesa M5s-Pd-Leu|publisher=ANSA|language=it|date=19 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 28 August, the PD's newly elected secretary Nicola Zingaretti announced at the Quirinal Palace his favourable position on forming a new government with the M5S, with Conte at its head.{{cite news|last1=D'Emilio|first1=Frances|last2=Zampano|first2=Giada|title=Italy's Conte might be back at helm with Salvini shut out |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/conte-wins-crucial-support-for-new-italian-govt-coalition/2019/08/28/a85203c4-c99c-11e9-9615-8f1a32962e04_story.html|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|date=28 August 2019 |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828200930/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/conte-wins-crucial-support-for-new-italian-govt-coalition/2019/08/28/a85203c4-c99c-11e9-9615-8f1a32962e04_story.html|archive-date=28 August 2019}} On the same day, Mattarella summoned Conte to the Quirinal Palace for 29 August to give him the task of forming a new cabinet.{{cite news|url=https://www.agi.it/politica/governo_pd_m5s_consultazioni-6094223/news/2019-08-28/|title=C'è l'accordo tra M5s e Pd. Governo giallorosso ai nastri di partenza|publisher=AGI|language=it|date=28 August 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 3 September, members of the M5S voted on the Rousseau platform in favour of an agreement with the PD under the premiership of Conte, with more than 79% of votes out of nearly 80,000 voters.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/09/03/news/governo_i_militanti_del_m5s_votano_il_via_libera_al_governo_con_il_pd_sulla_piattaforma_rousseau-235054044/|title=Governo, via libera di Rousseau all'intesa M5s-Pd con il 79% dei voti. Conte domattina al Quirinale|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=3 September 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 4 September, Conte announced the ministers of his new cabinet, which was sworn in at the Quirinal Palace on the following day.{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/en/italy-swears-in-new-coalition-government/a-50299272|title=Italy swears in new coalition government|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=5 September 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 18 September, Renzi left the PD to found the liberal party Italia Viva (IV); he then joined the government with IV to keep the League and Salvini out of power.{{cite journal|last=Fusaro|first=Carlo|date=22 September 2019|url=https://verfassungsblog.de/italia-viva-party-system-reform-morta/|title=Italia Viva, Party System Reform Morta: What Matteo Renzi's split from the PD means for democracy and stability in Italy and beyond|journal=Verfassungsblog: On Matters Constitutional|doi=10.17176/20190922-232352-0|access-date=13 February 2022}}

In October 2019 Parliament approved the Fraccaro Reform, named after Riccardo Fraccaro, the M5S deputy who was the bill's first signatory.{{cite news|url=https://www.rainews.it/tgr/trento/articoli/2019/10/tnt-camera-dei-deputati-riforma-fraccaro-taglio-parlamentari-trentino-alto-adige-dbb4795d-063b-47be-a171-d467a65ee157.html|url-status=live|title=La Camera approva la riforma Fraccaro. Via al taglio dei parlamentari|publisher=Rai|language=it|date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024095931/https://www.rainews.it/tgr/trento/articoli/2019/10/tnt-camera-dei-deputati-riforma-fraccaro-taglio-parlamentari-trentino-alto-adige-dbb4795d-063b-47be-a171-d467a65ee157.html|archive-date=24 October 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} The fourth and final vote in the Chamber of Deputies came on 8 October 2019, with 553 votes in favour and 14 against. In the final vote, the bill was supported by both the majority and the opposition;{{cite news|last=Sciorilli Borrelli|first=Silvia|date=8 October 2019|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-lawmakers-want-fewer-seats-in-parliament-vote-referendum/|url-status=live|title=Italian lawmakers want fewer Italian lawmakers|work=Politico|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009141725/https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-lawmakers-want-fewer-seats-in-parliament-vote-referendum/|archive-date=9 October 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} only the liberal party More Europe (+E) and other small groups voted against.{{cite news|url=https://it.notizie.yahoo.com/taglio-dei-parlamentari-orfini-la-riforma-fa-schifo-chi-sono-i-contrari-080204412.html|url-status=live|title=Taglio dei parlamentari, Orfini: 'La riforma fa schifo'. Chi sono i contrari|website=Yahoo! Notizie|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009115403/https://it.notizie.yahoo.com/taglio-dei-parlamentari-orfini-la-riforma-fa-schifo-chi-sono-i-contrari-080204412.html|archive-date=9 October 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} The reform provided a cut in the number of MPs, which would shrink from 630 to 400 deputies and from 315 to 200 senators.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49979103|url-status=live|title=Italy shrinks parliament 'to save €1bn'|publisher=BBC News|date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009093221/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49979103|archive-date=9 October 2019|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 20–21 September 2020, Italians largely approved the reform with nearly 70% of votes through a constitutional referendum.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/09/21/elezioni-e-referendum-2020-risultati-in-diretta-vince-il-si-con-il-69-toscana-e-la-puglia-restano-a-sinistra-vittorie-di-giani-ed-emiliano-marche-a-destra-plebisciti-per-zaia-e-de-luca-toti-si/5938232/|title=Elezioni e Referendum 2020, risultati in diretta: vince il Sì con il 69%. Toscana e la Puglia restano a sinistra: vittorie di Giani ed Emiliano. Marche a destra. Plebisciti per Zaia e De Luca, Toti si tiene la Liguria|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=21 September 2020|access-date=19 February 2022}}

In January 2020, Italy became one of the countries worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210130-italy-s-president-allows-four-days-of-talks-to-see-if-government-can-be-salvaged|title=Italy's president tasks lower house speaker with help in reviving fallen coalition|website=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Presse|date=30 January 2021|access-date=30 January 2022}} Conte's government was the first in the Western world to implement a national lockdown to stop the spread of the disease.{{cite news|title=All of Italy to be placed on coronavirus lockdown|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-51810673|access-date=30 January 2022|publisher=BBC|date=9 March 2020}}{{cite news|date=9 May 2020|title=Italy, the first country in Europe to enter lockdown, starts to emerge|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/05/09/italy-the-first-country-in-europe-to-enter-lockdown-starts-to-emerge|access-date=30 January 2022|newspaper=The Economist}} Despite being widely approved by public opinion,{{cite news|last=Poggioli|first=Sylvia|date=26 January 2021|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/960744631/italys-prime-minister-quits-as-covid-19-response-splits-coalition-government|title=Italy's Prime Minister Quits As COVID-19 Response Splits Coalition Government|publisher=NPR|access-date=20 February 2022}} the lockdown was also described as the largest suppression of constitutional rights in the history of the Italian Republic.{{cite news|last=Olivetti|first=Marco|date=11 March 2020|url=https://www.avvenire.it/opinioni/pagine/cos-le-norme-contro-il-virus-possono-rievocare-il-dictator|title=Così le norme contro il virus possono rievocare il 'dictator'|access-date=28 January 2022|work=Avvenire|language=it}}{{cite magazine|last=Storelli|first=Filomena Marianna|date=18 March 2020|url=https://www.questionegiustizia.it/articolo/la-tremendissima-lezione-del-covid-19-anche-ai-giuristi_18-03-2020.php|title=La tremendissima lezione del Covid-19 (anche) ai giuristi|magazine=Questione Giustizia|language=it|access-date=30 January 2022}}{{cite magazine|last=Massa Pinto|first=Ilenia|date=28 March 2020|url=https://www.iusinitinere.it/la-graduale-limitazione-dei-diritti-e-delle-liberta-fondamentali-nella-stagione-del-coronavirus-26470|title=La graduale limitazione dei diritti e delle libertà fondamentali nella stagione del coronavirus|magazine=Ius in itinere|language=it|access-date=30 January 2022}} In January 2021, Renzi's party Italia Viva withdrew its support for Conte's government, starting a government crisis.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2021/01/13/crisi-di-governo-la-diretta-renzi-ritira-le-sue-ministre-conte-grave-responsabilita-di-italia-viva-danno-al-paese-mai-sottratto-al-confronto-ma-terreno-era-minato/6063928/|title=Crisi di governo, Renzi ritira le ministre Bonetti e Bellanova. Conte: 'Grave responsabilità di Italia viva, danno al Paese. Mai sottratto al confronto ma terreno era minato'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=13 September 2021|access-date=19 February 2022}} Although Conte was able to win confidence votes in Parliament in the subsequent days, he chose to resign due to failing to reach an absolute majority in the Senate.{{cite news|last1=Patta|first1=Emilia|last2=Perrone|first2=Manuela|date=26 January 2021|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/conte-oggi-si-dimette-e-tenta-ter-senza-chiudere-porta-renzi-ADFQbhFB|title=Conte si dimette e tenta il ter (senza chiudere la porta a Renzi)|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} After negotiations to form a third Conte cabinet failed, Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank, became Prime Minister on 13 February at the head of a national unity government composed of independent technocrats and politicians from the League, M5S, PD, FI, IV, and LeU.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/entry/giuramento-di-draghi-al-quirinale_it_6027b0a9c5b6591becd8fc5c/|title=Mario Draghi giura al Quirinale con tre minuti di anticipo|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|date=13 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite journal|last=Pianta|first=Mario|date=April 2021|url=https://www.intereconomics.eu/contents/year/2021/number/2/article/italy-s-political-turmoil-and-mario-draghi-s-european-challenges.html|title=Italy's Political Turmoil and Mario Draghi's European Challenges|journal=Intereconomics|volume=56|issue=2|pages=82–85|doi=10.1007/s10272-021-0958-9|pmid=33840824|pmc=8021634|access-date=19 February 2022}} Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) was the sole main party at the opposition.{{cite news|last=Roméo|first=Lou|date=24 July 2022|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220724-brothers-of-italy-the-far-right-party-on-the-cusp-of-power|title=Brothers of Italy, the far-right party on the cusp of power|website=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=26 September 2022}}

In March 2021, the PD's secretary Zingaretti resigned after growing tensions within the PD, with the party's minority accusing him for the management of the government crisis.{{cite news|last=Marini|first=Andrea|date=4 March 2021|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/pd-zingaretti-si-dimette-dice-addio-decimo-segretario-14-anni-AD6UnsNB|title=Pd, Zingaretti si dimette. Dice addio il decimo segretario in 14 anni|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} Many prominent members of the party asked to former Prime Minister Enrico Letta to become the new leader; on 14 March, he was elected as the new secretary by the PD's national assembly.{{cite news|last=Carugati|first=Andrea|date=12 March 2021|url=https://ilmanifesto.it/letta-il-giorno-della-scelta-zingaretti-rilancera-il-pd/|title=Letta, il giorno della scelta. Zingaretti: rilancerà il Pd|work=Il manifesto|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/entry/ringrazio-nicola-dal-virus-non-si-esce-da-soli_it_604deb48c5b6cf72d096f795/|title=Letta: 'Non vi serve un nuovo segretario, ma un nuovo Pd'|website=L'HuffPost|language=it|date=14 March 2021|access-date=19 February 2022}} In August 2021, Conte was elected president of the M5S.{{cite news|last=Cuzzocrea|first=Annalisa|date=6 August 2021|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/08/06/news/m5s_giuseppe_conte_eletto_presidente_chi_ci_sara_nella_nuova_squadra_al_comando-313217619/|title=M5S, Conte eletto presidente col 93% di sì: 'Ce la metterò tutta per non deludervi'. Con lui 5 vice. Ecco chi ci sarà nella sua squadra al comando|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} In February 2022, a Naples' court ruled in favour of three M5S activists, suspending Conte's presidency.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanazione.it/pecore-elettriche/giuseppe-conte-cinque-stelle-1.7337694|title=Il Tribunale di Napoli sospende la nomina di Giuseppe Conte a presidente del M5s|work=La Nazione|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} On 19 February, Conte appealed to the court's decision,{{cite news|url=https://www.ildubbio.news/2022/02/19/m5s-giuseppe-conte/|title=Il M5S fa ricorso: Giuseppe Conte presidente legittimato dallo statuto|work=La Nazione|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} on the grounds that he was not aware of the 2018 party statute, which provided for the exclusion from voting of those who had joined the M5S for less than six months, and the voting procedure was valid.{{cite news|last=Balsamo|first=Carmine Massimo|date=19 February 2022|url=https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/conte-fa-ricorso-vertici-m5s-non-sapevano-di-regolamento-2018-comunali-a-rischio/2295025/|title=Conte fa ricorso: 'Vertici M5s non sapevano di regolamento 2018'/ Comunali a rischio|work=Il Sussidario|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}

In the Italian presidential election held in late January 2022,{{cite news|last1=Albanese|first1=Chiara|last2=Migliaccio|first2=Alessandra|date=21 January 2022|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-21/italy-starts-search-for-new-president-with-papal-style-vote|title=Italy Starts Search For New President With Papal-Style Vote|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2022/01/27/italys-presidential-election-goes-to-fifth-ballot_af244183-67d4-491c-923d-6ddd279bebf5.html|title=Italy's presidential election goes to fifth ballot|website=ANSAMed|publisher=ANSA|date=27 January 2022|access-date=19 February 2022|archive-date=4 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204030134/https://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2022/01/27/italys-presidential-election-goes-to-fifth-ballot_af244183-67d4-491c-923d-6ddd279bebf5.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Reguly|first=Eric|date=29 January 2022|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-italy-ends-voting-deadlock-by-re-electing-sergio-mattarella-as/|title=Italy ends voting deadlock by re-electing Sergio Mattarella as president, keeping Mario Draghi as prime minister|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=19 February 2022}} President Mattarella was re-elected, despite having ruled out a second term, after the governing parties asked him to do so when no other candidate was viable.{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/29/italy-parties-ask-mattarella-to-remain-president-after-vote-chaos|title=Italian President Sergio Mattarella re-elected, ending impasse|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=29 January 2022|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=29 January 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/29/world/europe/sergio-mattarella-italy-president.html|title=Italian Lawmakers Say They Have Agreed to Re-Elect Sergio Mattarella as President|work=The New York Times|access-date=19 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/01/30/the-re-election-of-sergio-mattarella-as-president-saves-italys-governing-coalition|title=The re-election of Sergio Mattarella as president saves Italy's governing coalition|newspaper=The Economist|date=30 January 2022|access-date=31 January 2022}}

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine sent shockwave through the Italian political spectrum: Prime Minister Draghi immediately pledged support for Ukraine and was rapidly joined in this by the Democratic Party and Brothers of Italy (which abandoned its pro-Russian views and adopted an atlanticist line{{Cite web |last=Vitale |first=Giovanna |date=2022-03-25 |title=FdI, Giorgia l'atlantista: le metamorfosi di Meloni |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/03/26/news/giorgia_meloni_atlantista-342871365/ |access-date= |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}): on 18 March the Chamber of Deputies overwhelmingly approved the sending of military aid to Ukraine, followed by the Senate on 31 March 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Ucraina, la Camera approva tra le assenze l'invio delle armi e gli aiuti ai profughi |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/03/18/news/ucraina_camera_approvato_decreto_invio_armi-341794130/ |access-date= |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-31 |title=Dl Ucraina, il Senato approva la fiducia. In aula cartelli di protesta: "No soldi per le armi" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/03/31/news/dl_ucraina_voto_di_fiducia_al_senato-343539671/ |access-date= |website=la Repubblica |language=it}} Despite having voted in favour of military aid, the Five Star Movement, the League and Forza Italia later became increasingly critical of support to Ukraine, causing tensions in the majority.{{Cite web |last=Carrer |first=Gabriele |date=2022-09-26 |title=I filo-russi M5S, Lega e FI crollano rispetto al 2018. Cosa significa per Meloni |url=https://formiche.net/2022/09/crollo-filo-russi-rispetto-a-2018/ |access-date= |website=Formiche |language=it-IT}}

File:Mattarella Draghi Scioglimento Camere 2022.jpg following Draghi's resignation.]]

During summer 2022, rumours arose that M5S might withdraw its support of the national unity government, including allegations that Draghi privately criticized Conte and asked M5S founder Beppe Grillo to replace him.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/06/29/draghi-se-ho-chiesto-la-testa-di-conte-ci-siamo-parlati-poco-fa-abbiamo-cominciato-a-chiarirci-il-governo-non-rischia/6644343/|title=La giornalista a Draghi: 'È vero che ha chiesto a Grillo la testa di Conte?'. Il premier: 'Ci siamo parlati poco fa, abbiamo cominciato a chiarirci'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=29 June 2022|access-date=22 July 2022}}{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Hannah|date=30 June 2022|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/draghi-leave-nato-summit-early-deal-domestic-woe/|title=Draghi leaves NATO summit early to deal with domestic woes|work=Politico|access-date=22 July 2022}} This came amid tension between the M5S and the Draghi government on economic and environmental issues,{{cite news|title='Ci vogliono fuori dal governo'. La furia di Conte contro Draghi|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/05/05/news/conte_m5s_governo_draghi_maggioranza-348147282/|access-date=15 July 2022|work=La Repubblica|date=4 May 2022|language=it}}{{cite news |title=Conte scatenato contro Draghi: l'alleanza Pd-M5S sempre più a rischio|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/05/13/news/conte_letta_divisioni_m5s_pd_draghi_ucraina_governo-349265743/|access-date=15 July 2022|work=La Repubblica|date=12 May 2022|language=it}} and the Russo-Ukrainian War, which also caused a split within the M5S. In June 2022, Di Maio formed Together for the Future (IpF), which continued to support the Draghi government.{{cite news|title=Di Maio lascia i 5Stelle: 'Bisogna scegliere da che parte stare della storia. Alcuni dirigenti hanno rischiato di indebolire l'Italia' |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/06/21/news/luigi_di_maio_scissione_m5s_giuseppe_conte_grillo-354923869/|access-date=15 July 2022|work=La Repubblica|date=21 June 2022|language=it}}{{cite news|last1=Canettieri|first1=Simone|title=Scissione M5s, il gruppo di Di Maio si chiamerà 'Insieme per il futuro' |url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2022/06/21/news/scissione-m5s-l-obiettivo-di-di-maio-e-un-gruppo-con-45-parlamentari-4141853/|access-date=15 July 2022|work=Il Foglio|date=21 June 2022|language=it}}

On 12 July, Draghi stated he would resign if the M5S withdraws its support to the government.{{cite news|last=Cangemi|first=Annalisa|date=20 July 2021|title=Draghi: 'Per me non c'è un governo senza 5 stelle, ma questo governo continua finché riesce a lavorare'|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/draghi-questo-governo-continua-finche-riesce-a-lavorare-ma-per-me-non-ce-governo-senza-il-m5s/|website=Fanpage|language=it|access-date=20 July 2021}} On 14 July, the M5S eventually revoked the support to the government of national unity regarding a decree concerning economic stimulus to contrast the 2021 energy crisis. On the same day, Draghi resigned; his resignation was rejected by Mattarella.{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Hannah|date=14 July 2022|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/draghi-threat-quit-tip-europe-deeper-crisis/|title=Draghi dangles resignation, just when Europe needs him|work=Politico|access-date=21 July 2022}} On 21 July, Draghi resigned again after a new confidence vote in the Senate failed to pass with an absolute majority, following defections of the M5S, the League, and FI.{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=20 July 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/20/world/europe/draghi-italy-prime-minister.html|title=Draghi Government Falls Apart, Returning Turbulent Politics to Italy|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=21 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220720-italy-s-draghi-calls-for-new-pact-ahead-of-confidence-vote|title=Italy in limbo as Draghi wins confidence vote but loses parliamentary majority|website=France 24|publisher=Agence-France Press|date=20 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Hannah|date=20 July 2022|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/latest-mario-draghi-brink-italy-prime-minister-government-collapse-crisis/|title=Mario Draghi faces the end after Italy's coalition refuses to back him|work=Politico|access-date=21 July 2022}} Mattarella accepted Draghi's resignation and asked him to remain in place to handle current affairs.{{cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_luglio_21/draghi-dimissioni-governo-ad4926de-0835-11ed-bd15-abd29857fc36.shtml|title=Draghi ha dato le dimissioni|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|date=21 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}{{cite news|last1=Amaro|first1=Silvia|last2=Clinch|first2=Matt|date=21 July 2022|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/21/italian-pm-mario-draghi-says-he-will-resign-after-failing-to-revive-his-coalition-government.html|title=Italian PM Mario Draghi quits after failing to revive his coalition government|publisher=CNBC|access-date=21 July 2022}}

On the following day, Mattarella officially dissolved the parliament and the snap election was called for 25 September 2022.{{cite news|title=Mattarella scioglie le Camere, si vota il 25 settembre. Draghi ai ministri: 'Orgogliosi del lavoro svolto' – Politica|date=21 July 2022|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/07/21/mattarella-scioglie-le-camere-si-vota-il-25-settembre.-draghi-ai-ministriorgogliosi-del-lavoro-svolto_8a08bf5e-bb74-4e5c-b1a6-fdfce445c5d7.html|language=it|publisher=ANSA|access-date=22 July 2022}}{{cite news|last1=Favale|first1=Mauro|last2=Matteucci|first2=Piera|date=21 July 2022|title=Draghi, la crisi di governo: voto anticipato il 25 settembre. Mattarella: 'Non ci sono prospettive per una nuova maggioranza'. Draghi: 'C'è tempo per saluti, ora al lavoro'|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/07/21/diretta/draghi_crisi_governo_oggi_fiducia_camera_ultime_news-358571963/|access-date=22 July 2022|work=La Repubblica|language=it}}{{cite news|last1=Borghese|first1=Livia|last2=Braithwaite|first2=Sharon|last3=Fox|first3=Kara|last4=Latza Nadeau|first4=Barbie|last5=Ruotolo|first5=Nicola|date=21 July 2022|title=Italy's president dissolves parliament, triggering snap election following Draghi's resignation|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/europe/mario-draghi-italy-resignation-intl/index.html|access-date=22 July 2022|publisher=CNN}}

Following the dissolution of Parliament, the electoral campaign officially began. Within the centre-left coalition, the Democratic Party (PD) secretary Enrico Letta ruled out an alliance with Giuseppe Conte's Five Star Movement (M5S), which he had always advocated in the previous months. Letta said that the government crisis brought an "irreversible break" between the two parties.{{cite news|date=25 July 2022|title=Letta chiude a M5s: 'Rottura irreversibile'. Conte: 'Pd arrogante, i progressisti siamo noi'|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/07/24/letta-la-scelta-per-il-paese-e-o-noi-o-meloni_59f7a18d-79d0-4a2c-b0d8-1d6abd1af038.html|access-date=25 July 2022|publisher=ANSA}} Conte accused Letta of being "arrogant and hypocritical", and the League and Forza Italia (FI) of "having bullied" M5S "in front of the nation", adding that M5S would run alone in this election.{{cite news|date=24 July 2022|title=Giuseppe Conte: 'Il Pd è arrogante. Ipocrita e infame dire che ho tradito. Draghi? Il prestigio non basta'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/07/24/news/giuseppe_conte_il_pd_e_arrogante_ipocrita_e_infame_dire_che_ho_tradito_draghi_il_prestigio_non_basta-9928717/|access-date=24 July 2022|website=Huffington Post}}{{cite news|date=26 July 2022|title=Lo sfogo di Conte: 'M5s bullizzato dal centrodestra, Draghi voleva esiliare la dialettica politica'|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/lo-sfogo-di-conte-m5s-bullizzato-dal-centrodestra-draghi-voleva-esiliare-la-dialettica-politica/|access-date=26 July 2022|website=Fanpage}} Conte and M5S declared themselves to be part of the progressive pole and to the left of PD;{{cite news|last=Padoan|first=Enrico|date=6 September 2022|url=https://ilmanifesto.it/i-5-stelle-di-conte-si-buttano-a-sinistra-alcuni-dati-di-fatto-e-qualche-dubbio|title=I 5 Stelle di Conte si buttano a sinistra. Alcuni dati di fatto e qualche dubbio|newspaper=Il manifesto|language=it|access-date=24 September 2022}} their campaign centered around the minimum wage and in defense of the citizens' income against right-wing criticism.{{cite web|last=Tecce|first=Laura|date=12 September 2022|url=https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/laltravoce-dellitalia/laltravoce-dei-ventenni/interviste/2022/09/12/conte-non-permetteremo-labolizione-del-reddito-di-cittadinanza|title=Conte: 'Non permetteremo l'abolizione del reddito di cittadinanza'|website=Quotidiano del Sud|language=it|access-date=24 September 2022}} Letta criticized M5S for their past government with the League and anti-immigration measures.{{cite news|last=Magnani|first=Niccolò|date=30 August 2022|url=https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/conte-rinnega-decreti-sicurezza-fallimento-salvini-n-1-m5s-smentisce-se-stesso/2214880/|title=Conte rinnega decreti sicurezza: 'fallimento Salvini'/ N.1 M5s smentisce... se stesso|work=Il Sussidario|language=it|access-date=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|last=Casadio|first=Giovanna|date=1 September 2022|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/09/01/news/letta_pd_elezioni_m5s-363663628/|title=Letta sferza il M5S: 'Progressisti non ci si inventa'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=24 September 2022}} PD ran for a wealth tax, minimum wage, support for civil rights such as egalitarian marriage, a law protecting against sexual orientation discrimination (DDL Zan), ius scholae reform to allow children of immigrants who live and study in Italy to apply for citizenship, cannabis legalization, defense of the Constitution of Italy as an anti-fascist document, and on the lesser of two evils as the only coalition that could beat the right,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.it/gallery/pd-campagna-elettorale-meme-scegli-letta/|title=La campagna elettorale del Pd è diventata un meme|magazine=Wired|language=it|date=3 September 2022|access-date=24 September 2022}} in large part due the electoral law, which Letta defined as the worst ever made.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2022/09/06/partito-democratico-appello-voto-utile/|title=Il PD punta tutto sul 'voto utile'|work=Il Post|language=it|date=6 September 2022|access-date=24 September 2022}}

On 26 July, Italian Left (SI) and Green Europe (EV) officially launched their joint list for the upcoming election within the centre-left coalition, named Greens and Left Alliance (AVS).{{cite news|date=26 July 2022|title=Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra: il nostro simbolo per le politiche 2022|url=https://europaverde.it/2022/07/26/alleanza-verdi-sinistra-il-nostro-simbolo/|access-date=26 July 2022|publisher=Europa Verde}} After a few days, Angelo Bonelli was appointed political leader of the alliance on a eco-socialist platform.{{cite tweet|author=Sondaggi BiDiMedia|user=sbidimedia|date=13 August 2022|number=1558431364659253249|title=Alla presentazione del simbolo i rossoverdi di 'Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra' hanno designato Angelo Bonelli, co-leader dei verdi, come capo politico|language=it|access-date=25 September 2022}} To their left, Power to the People (PaP), Communist Refoundation Party (PRC), and other minor left-wing and regionalist parties formed the People's Union (UP) coalition led by Luigi de Magistris, a former magistrate and mayor of Naples, on an anti-neoliberal platform.{{cite news|date=31 August 2022|title=Unione Popolare si presenta: 'Siamo un'alternativa al sistema liberista' – Le interviste|url=https://www.gazzettadisiena.it/unione-popolare-si-presenta-siamo-unalternativa-al-sistema-liberista-le-interviste/|access-date=24 September 2022|work=Gazzetta di Siena|language=it}}{{cite news|date=7 September 2022|title=Alle elezioni c'è anche Unione Popolare|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2022/09/07/elezioni-unione-popolare-de-magistris/|access-date=24 September 2022|work=Il Post|language=it}} On 27 July, Letta announced that Article One (Art.1), the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), and Solidary Democracy (DemoS) would run within PD's list,{{cite news|date=29 July 2022|title=Elezioni:Letta,possiamo vincere,bene lista comune con Mdp e Psi|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2022/07/29/elezionilettapossiamo-vincerebene-lista-comune-con-mdp-e-psi_d5d3fc39-55e5-404c-bdb0-b63be70d6b68.html|access-date=29 July 2022|publisher=ANSA}} while Carlo Calenda, leader of Action (A), revealed that Mariastella Gelmini and Mara Carfagna had joined his party and would run in the upcoming election.{{cite news|date=29 July 2022|title=Gelmini e Carfagna entrano nella segreteria di Azione. M5s: niente deroghe ai due mandati|url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/07/carfagna-sceglie-calenda-il-diario-del-29-luglio-dff4de4a-998c-43a1-8cf8-ff222e15b820.html|access-date=29 July 2022|publisher=Rai News}} Gelmini and Carfagna were both ministers and long-time members of FI, who left Silvio Berlusconi's party after the fall of the Draghi government.{{cite news|date=29 July 2022|title=Calenda accoglie Carfagna e Gelmini con tutti gli onori: entrano in segreteria|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/07/29/news/calenda_gelmini_carfagna-9962223/|access-date=29 July 2022|website=Huffington Post}}

On 28 July, the centre-right coalition, formed by Lega, FI, Brothers of Italy (FdI), Union of the Centre (UdC), Coraggio Italia (CI), and Us with Italy (NcI), found an agreement on the distribution of single-member districts between the allies and agreed also on the candidate for the premiership, which would be proposed by the party that gains more votes.{{cite news|date=27 July 2022|title=Elezioni 2022, centrodestra: la divisione dei collegi|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/elezioni-2022-centrodestra-la-divisione-dei-collegi_1tdawH1RYY2QKJyxCOLbsU|access-date=27 July 2022|publisher=Adnkronos}} They campaigned on the flat tax, constitutional reforms like presidentialism, welfare cuts, and citizen's income reform, though the three main parties and leaders had their differences,{{cite news|last=Baldolini|first=Stefano|date=22 September 2022|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/09/22/news/programma_elettorale_centrodestra_differenze_meloni_salvini_berlusconi-366734209/|title=Le sei questioni che dividono il centrodestra di Meloni, Salvini e Berlusconi|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=24 September 2022}} and their manifesto lacked details.{{cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20220926/explained-what-will-a-far-right-government-mean-for-italy/|title=Explained: What will a far-right government mean for Italy?|newspaper=The Local Italy|date=2 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022}} Due to its strong showing in opinion polls, Giorgia Meloni's FdI gained 98 candidacies, Lega 70, FI–UdC 42, and NcI and CI 11.{{cite news|date=29 July 2022|title=Da 'sicuro' a 'impossibile'. La mappa del centrodestra nella ripartizione dei collegi|url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/sicuro-impossibile-mappa-centrodestra-nella-ripartizione-dei-2054698.html|access-date=29 July 2022|work=Il Giornale|language=it}} Meloni ran a campaign around the "God, country and family" slogan, downplayed FdI's post-fascist roots, and sought to promote her party as being mainstream conservative.

On 29 July, the campaign was marked by the murder of Alika Ogorchukwu, a Nigerian migrant who was killed with bare hands and crutches by an Italian man in a street in Civitanova Marche.{{cite news|date=7 August 2022|title=Hundreds march in central Italy over murder of Nigerian street vendor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/07/hundreds-march-in-central-italy-over-of-nigerian-street-vendor-alika-ogorchukwu|access-date=11 August 2022|work=The Guardian}} The murderer, a 32-year-old Italian, said that he acted because Ogorchukwu had been begging insistently.{{cite news|date=30 July 2022|title=Aggressione mortale a Civitanova Marche, l'ambulante inseguito e ucciso a mani nude. Gli investigatori: 'Agonia di 4 minuti'. L'omicida in carcere: 'Chiedo scusa'. Disposta l'autopsia|url=https://www.lastampa.it/cronaca/2022/07/30/news/delitto_di_civitanova_marche_laggressore_in_carcereaccusato_anche_di_rapina-5482944/|access-date=30 July 2022|work=La Stampa|language=it}} The murder was filmed by passers-by and made the front page of Italian newspapers on 29 July. The political class expressed its indignation following the murder, and the left and the right accused each other: the progressive parties and several commentators accused the right of spreading racist propaganda,{{cite news|last1=Giuffrida|first1=Angela|last2=Tondo|first2=Lorenzo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/31/killing-of-nigerian-street-seller-causes-outrage-in-italy|title=Killing of Nigerian street seller causes outrage in Italy|work=The Guardian|date=31 July 2022|access-date=2 September 2022}}{{cite web|date=4 August 2022|title=In Italy, the Shocking Death of Alika Ogorchukwu Has Forced a Long-Overdue Reckoning|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/death-of-alika-ogorchukwu-reckoning-italy|last=Talanti|first=Paulo Maurizio|access-date=11 August 2022|work=Vogue}}{{cite news|date=10 August 2022|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/8/10/murder-of-aliku-ogorchukwu-is-europe-just-as-racist-as-america|title=Murder of Alika Ogorchukwu: Is Europe just as racist as America?|last=Mhaka|first=Tafi|access-date=11 August 2022|publisher=Al Jazeera}} while the right-wing parties accused the left of appropriating the murder.{{cite news|date=30 July 2022|title=Omicidio Civitanova Marche, Letta: 'Ferocia e indifferenza lasciano sgomenti'. Meloni a Formigli: 'Sciacallo, la mia condanna è stata immediata'|url=https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/07/30/news/omicidio_civitanova_marche_letta_indifferenza_ferocia_lascia_sgomenti-359747203/|access-date=30 July 2022|work=La Repubblica|language=it}}

File: Festa Unità Bologna 2022.jpg opening the campaign at Festa de l'Unità of Bologna]]

On 1 August, Luigi Di Maio and Bruno Tabacci presented their new party, Civic Commitment (IC), a centrist electoral list mainly composed by former members of M5S, which would be part of the centre-left coalition.{{cite news|title=Ic: Di Maio, lasciamo a estremisti veti, noi per unità – Ultima Ora|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2022/08/01/ic-di-maio-lasciamo-a-estremisti-veti-noi-per-unita_c650831b-a3c2-4198-9df5-33c416f4c9b4.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=ANSA|date=1 August 2022|language=it}} Moreover, Marco Rizzo's Communist Party (PC), Antonio Ingroia's Civil Action (AC), and other minor populist and hard Eurosceptic parties launched Sovereign and Popular Italy (ISP), dubbed by the media as a red–brown alliance between left-wing and right-wing movements.{{cite news|title=Rossobruni, sovranisti e 'non allineati': le improbabili convergenze tra estrema destra e sinistra in vista delle Politiche 2023|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/06/03/news/alternativa_non_allineati_rossobrunismo-352246369/|access-date=2 September 2022|work=La Repubblica|date=3 June 2022|language=it}}{{cite news|title=Elezioni, nasce 'Italia sovrana e popolare' – Italia|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/videogallery/italia/2022/08/01/elezioni-nasce-italia-sovrana-e-popolare_861ca89d-6f57-4d65-b047-6ec8b16b2f4e.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=ANSA|date=1 August 2022|language=it}} On the same day, Gianluigi Paragone's Italexit and Pino Cabras's Alternative officially announced the formation of a Eurosceptic joint list, proposing the candidacies of several anti-vaccination and anti-lockdown activists.{{cite news|title=Elezioni, Italexit e Alternativa correranno insieme: accordo tra Gianluigi Paragone e Pino Cabras|url=https://www.iltempo.it/politica/2022/08/01/news/italexit-alternativa-accordo-elezioni-insieme-candidatura-gianluigi-paragone-pino-cabras-32611092/|access-date=2 September 2022|work=Il Tempo|date=1 August 2022|language=it}} Four days later, Alternativa dissolved the alliance due to allegations about the presence of neofascist candidates within Italexit's lists,{{cite web|title=Si spacca il fronte No Green pass, Alternativa di Cabras si allontana da ItalExit: 'Ci sono candidati che fanno parte di gruppi di ispirazione neofascista'|url=https://www.open.online/2022/08/05/elezioni-2022-alternativa-italia-italexit/|access-date=2 September 2022|website=Open|date=5 August 2022|language=it}} following an agreement between Paragone's party and CasaPound (CP).{{cite news|title=Elezioni, Alternativa rompe l'alleanza con Italexit: l'accordo è durato solo due giorni. 'Paragone imbarca fascisti, non ci stiamo'|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/08/06/elezioni-alternativa-rompe-lalleanza-con-italexit-laccordo-e-durato-solo-due-giorni-paragone-imbarca-fascisti-non-ci-stiamo/6754843/|access-date=2 September 2022|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date=6 August 2022|language=it}}

On 2 August, Letta's PD signed an alliance with Calenda's Action party and Benedetto Della Vedova's More Europe (+E).{{cite news|title=Patto Letta-Calenda, 70% candidati Pd e 30% Azione/+Europa – Politica|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/08/02/patto-letta-calenda-70-candidati-pd-e-30-azione/europa_72e245a9-75bb-4692-87b0-4a12661684a3.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=ANSA|date=2 August 2022|language=it}} On 6 August, PD signed another pact with AVS and IC.{{cite news|title=Pd-Verdi-SI, accordo per le elezioni. La conferenza congiunta|url=https://www.rainews.it/video/2022/08/conferenza-stampa-pd-letta-12b47473-94bd-4d25-87b9-3fe04865cb63.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=RAI|date=6 August 2022|language=it}}{{cite news|last=Arachi|first=Alessandra|title=Letta, il giorno delle intese. Sì di rossoverdi e Di Maio|url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni/22_agosto_06/letta-giorno-intese-si-rossoverdi-maio-72b37ef0-15c0-11ed-abe5-8e4532c50be0.shtml|access-date=2 September 2022|work=Corriere della Sera|date=6 August 2022|language=it}} These alliances caused tensions between Letta and Calenda. The latter, being a strong supporter of economic liberalism and nuclear power, considered impossible a coalition between his own party and AVS.{{cite news|title=Verdi dicono sì al Pd, ma resta tensione con Calenda – Politica|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/08/05/elezioni-di-maio-calenda-sta-disgregando-coalizione_0bcdc978-ba1e-4096-82b4-1f08c6bec2d8.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=ANSA|date=5 August 2022|language=it}} On 7 August, Calenda broke the alliance with PD.{{cite news|title=Calenda strappa col Pd, Letta: 'Noi andiamo avanti' – Politica|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/08/07/elezioni-calenda-e-conte-rompono-con-il-pd.-renzi-terzo-polo-opportunita-straordinaria_03ffd6a9-e4cc-42f4-b546-3dbcd7abbe4d.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=Agenzia ANSA|date=7 August 2022|language=it}} +E, led by Della Vedova and Emma Bonino, decided to remain in the centre-left coalition with PD, marking the end of the federation between them and Calenda's party.{{cite news|title=Bonino: 'Calenda? Motivi fumosi. Io mantengo la parola e resto con Letta'|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/08/08/news/bonino_europa_calenda_patto_letta-360779208/|access-date=2 September 2022|work=La Repubblica|date=7 August 2022|language=it}} On 11 August, Matteo Renzi's Italia Viva (IV) and A signed an agreement to create a centrist alliance led by Calenda, using IV's symbol to avoid collecting signatures for Calenda's party.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/08/11/diretta/elezioni_politiche_2022_ultime_notizie_candidati_programmi_e_previsioni-361226272/?ref=RHTP-BH-I361194336-P1-S1-T1|title=Elezioni politiche 2022, Calenda-Renzi accordo fatto. Sarà il leader di Azione a guidare il Terzo Polo|work=la Repubblica|date=11 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} Despite Draghi's dismissal, Calenda and Renzi said they would push for Draghi to remain as prime minister, should they win enough seats.{{cite news|date=16 September 2022|title=Il No di Draghi al secondo mandato stronca le speranze di Renzi e Calenda (che ancora oggi insistevano sul bis del premier)|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/09/16/il-no-di-draghi-al-secondo-mandato-stronca-le-speranze-di-renzi-e-calenda-che-ancora-oggi-insistevano-sul-bis-del-premier/6806361/|access-date=24 September 2022|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it}} They also ran a pro-nuclear power and pro-regasification campaign as solutions for the ongoing energy crisis.{{cite web|url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2022/09/22/energia-nucleare-rigassificatori-programmi-elettorali-confronto|title=Energia nucleare e rigassificatori, programmi elettorali a confronto: cosa pensano partiti|website=Sky TG24|language=it|date=22 September 2022|access-date=25 September 2022}}

File:22-09-22 Campagna elettorale mercato di Cascina 37.jpg, Tuscany]]

On 22 August, Meloni tweeted a video of a rape committed by a 27-year-old Guinean asylum seeker against a 55-year-old Ukrainian woman in the city of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/23/europe/italy-far-right-leader-rape-video-intl-scli/index.html|title=Far-right Italian leader criticized for posting rape video|publisher=CNN|date=24 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2022/08/22/giorgia-meloni-stupro-piacenza-video|title=Meloni posta sui social il video dello stupro di Piacenza, è polemica. Letta: 'Indecente'|work=Sky TG24|date=22 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2022/08/piacenza-aggredita-e-violentata-in-pieno-centro-allalba-25490079-0e75-4fe8-bdb8-c9081f82d527.html|title=Piacenza, aggredita e violentata in pieno centro|publisher=RAI|language=it|date=22 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} Letta immediately labeled Meloni as "indecent", adding that "the Italian right-wing has no respect for the victim, not caring about her rights", while Calenda stated that Meloni should be ashamed of herself.{{cite news|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/elezioni/stupro-piacenza-letta-meloni-1.8003043|title=Stupro Piacenza, Meloni posta il video. Letta: 'Indecente e indecoroso'. Lei: solo bugie|work=Quotidiano Nazionale|language=it|date=23 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} Meloni accused Letta of lying, saying that the video was taken from the official website of the newspaper Il Messaggero, adding that she did not have to apologize because it was done for solidarity with the victim.{{cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/giorgia-meloni-non-chiede-scusa-per-il-video-dello-stupro-condiviso-per-solidarieta/|title=Giorgia Meloni non chiede scusa per il video dello stupro: 'Condiviso per solidarietà'|website=Fanpage|language=it|date=23 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} On 24 August, the rape victim stated that she was desperate for having been recognized by someone in the video of the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2022/08/23/la-vittima-dello-stupro-di-piacenza-sono-disperata-per-il-video-_8dc20d4b-5520-4f36-878e-511b414797ea.html|title=La vittima dello stupro di Piacenza: 'Sono disperata per il video'|publisher=ANSA|date=24 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} On the same day, the video was removed by Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram due to violations of the social media's policies.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/tecnologia/2022/08/23/news/facebook_e_twitter_hanno_rimosso_il_video_dello_stupro_di_piacenza_perche_e_come_successo-362678943/|title=Facebook, Twitter e Instagram hanno rimosso il video dello stupro condiviso da Meloni: perché e com'è successo|work=La Repubblica|date=24 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}

On 5 September, when asked about his opinions on the Italian election, former United States president Donald Trump endorsed Conte, whom he defined as "a very good person", stating that he hoped he would "do well" and adding that the two had "worked very well" together back when Conte was Prime Minister.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/politica/trump_conte_elezioni_endorsement_repubblicani_cinque_stelle-6911423.html|title=Donald Trump tifa per Conte: "Come sta andando il mio ragazzo Giuseppe". Ecco cosa c'è dietro l'endorsement|date=6 September 2022 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2022/09/05/news/trump_conte_salvini_elezioni_italia-364337667/|title=A cena con Trump, che ignora Salvini e fa un endorsement per Conte: 'Come sta andando il mio Giuseppe?'|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=5 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} On the same day, a League councillor from Florence caused some controversy when he filmed a video saying that a vote for the League would be a vote to deport Roma people.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/06/italian-far-right-politician-sparks-row-over-roma-comments|title='Vote for us to never see her again': Fury after Italy politician's video with Roma woman|work=The Guardian|date=6 September 2022|access-date=25 September 2022|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela}} On 8 September, Letta was criticized by Meloni after he stated, at the annual meeting of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, that "with the right's victory, Italy could become a B-class European country like Poland and Hungary."{{cite news|url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/meloni-striglia-letta-chiesa-scusa-vergognose-parole-sulla-2065017.html|work=Il Giornale|language=it|date=8 September 2022|title='Vergogna, chieda scusa'. Meloni striglia Letta sulla Polonia|access-date=26 September 2022}} His statements were also criticized by the Polish ambassador to Italy, Anna Maria Anders.{{cite web|url=https://www.globalist.it/politics/2022/09/06/la-polonia-critica-letta-definirci-un-paese-di-serie-b-e-un-favore-a-putin/|website=Globalist|language=it|date=6 September 2022|title=La Polonia critica Letta: 'Definirci un Paese di serie B è un favore a Putin'|access-date=26 September 2022}} On 9 September, Federico Mollicone, senior member of FdI, was criticized after he demanded for a Peppa Pig episode briefly showing a lesbian couple to be censored.{{cite news|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/09/italian-politician-demands-ban-on-peppa-pig-episode-showing-lesbian-couple|title=Italian politician demands ban on Peppa Pig episode showing lesbian couple|work=The Guardian|date=9 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} On 20 September, FdI sacked Calogero Pisano, a member and candidate that openly praised Adolf Hitler;{{cite web|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/elezioni/post-hitler-putin-pisano-espulso-fratelli-italia-1.8098435|title=Post Facebook pro Hitler e Putin: Calogero Pisano lascia Fratelli d'Italia|website=Quotidiano Nazionale|language=it|date=20 September 2022|access-date=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|date=20 September 2022|title=Italy elections: Far-right party sacks candidate for Hitler praise|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62971802|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 September 2022}} in an audio message, he expected to only be suspended for a few days. While he remained a candidate, FdI removed its symbol from his candidature.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/09/20/fdi-laudio-del-candidato-sospeso-per-i-post-pro-hitler-abbiamo-dovuto-prendere-le-distanze-ma-tranquilli-sospensione-vale-solo-per-2-3-giorni/6810243/|title=Fdi, l'audio del candidato sospeso per i post pro-Hitler: 'Abbiamo dovuto prendere le distanze ma tranquilli, sospensione vale solo per 2–3 giorni'. Poi si dimette dal partito|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=20 September 2022|access-date=25 September 2022}} He was elected in the single-district constituency of Agrigento, Sicilia, with 37.8% of the vote.{{cite news|last=Candido|first=Alessia|date=26 September 2022|url=https://palermo.repubblica.it/politica/2022/09/26/news/calogero_pisano_risultati_in_sicilia_collegi_uninominali_hitler-367384208/|title=Eletto il candidato che inneggiava a Hitler: Calogero Pisano la spunta ad Agrigento|work=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=26 September 2022}}

On 23 September, the centre-right coalition held a large rally in Rome, with closing statements and remarks from the main leaders of the alliance.{{cite web|url=https://www.dire.it/22-09-2022/795332-elezioni-centrodestra-piazza-del-popolo-diretta/|title=Il centrodestra unito chiude la campagna elettorale a piazza del Popolo|date=22 September 2022|language=it|access-date=25 September 2022}} On the same day, the other main coalitions and their leaders (PD, M5S, and A–IV) held their final rallies.{{cite news|date=23 September 2022|title=Elezioni, la diretta – Pd e M5s chiudono le campagne a Roma. Letta, piazza semivuota e il dem De Luca attacca il reddito: 'Porcheria'|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/live-post/2022/09/23/elezioni-la-diretta-pd-e-m5s-chiudono-le-campagne-a-roma-letta-piazza-semivuota-il-dem-de-luca-attacca-il-reddito-porcheria/6813998/|access-date=24 September 2022|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it}} On the day before the election, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, was asked about possible Vladimir Putin allies in the Italian political system and the upcoming election, to which she replied that "if things go in a difficult direction, I've spoken about Hungary and Poland, we have tools." The comment garnered a strong backlash from some Italian politicians, especially from Salvini and Renzi.{{cite news|last=Wilhelmine|first=Preussen|title=Von der Leyen's warning message to Italy irks election candidates|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-election-candidate-warning-ursula-von-der-leyen/|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Politico|date=23 September 2022}}{{cite news|title=EU's von der Leyen delivers veiled warning to Italy's right wing|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eus-von-der-leyen-delivers-veiled-warning-italys-right-wing-2022-09-23/|access-date=27 September 2022|publisher=Reuters|date=23 September 2022}} According to Italian law, election silence was enforced over all the national territory on 24 September.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/silenzio-elettorale-1.8105275|title=Silenzio elettorale, quando scatta e perché è previsto per legge|work=La Nazione|date=22 September 2022|language=it|access-date=25 September 2022}}

{{notelist}}

Differently from many other Western 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 prime ministry 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}} while many debates took place 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}}

The 2022 election saw the first debates between the main leaders in 16 years. On 23 August, some prominent leaders of the centre-right (Meloni, Salvini, Tajani, and Lupi) and of the centre-left (Letta and Di Maio) were jointly interviewed by Luciano Fontana during the Rimini Meeting, organized by the Catholic movement Communion and Liberation.{{cite news|title=Al Meeting di Rimini si sono confrontati i leader dei partiti. Domani ci sarà Draghi|url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/08/salvini-bisogna-azzerare-la-legge-fornero-7de8ec20-dcff-41b5-890a-195793edc2b1.html|access-date=2 September 2022|publisher=RAI|date=23 August 2022|language=it}} Moreover, Fontana also interviewed the main parties' leaders at the Ambrosetti Forum on 4 September, and hosted a debate between Letta and Meloni on the website of Corriere della Sera, the newspaper of which he serves as director.{{cite web|last=Sala|first=Alessandro|date=9 September 2022|title=Letta-Meloni, il confronto: 'Italia al bivio, come con Brexit'. 'Presidenzialismo? Fare le riforme'. Scontro su Pnrr e diritti|url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni/diretta-live/22_settembre_12/confronto-letta-meloni-diretta-c79f9566-32a3-11ed-aa4e-c1e08594c6e6.shtml|access-date=24 September 2022|website=Corriere della Sera|language=it}}

{{see also|Politics of Italy}}

After the 2020 Italian constitutional referendum, which reduced members of Parliament from 630 to 400 in the Chamber of Deputies and from 315 to 200 in the Senate of the Republic, the Italian electoral law of 2017 (Rosatellum), used in the 2018 Italian general election,{{cite news|last=Del Frate|first=Claudio|date=23 August 2019|url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/19_agosto_23/taglio-parlamentari-perche-serve-anche-nuova-legge-elettorale-f862cabe-c5b0-11e9-84f7-9eac6334c41a.shtml|title=Taglio dei parlamentari: perché serve anche una nuova legge elettorale|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} was initially expected by the then Conte II Cabinet to be either replaced entirely or its single-member districts under first-past-the-post (FPTP) be redesigned.{{cite web|last=Innamorati|first=Giovanni|date=7 September 2020|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2020/09/02/primi-passi-l.elettorale-testo-base-in-commissione-la-grafica_888bb14b-a0c1-4c21-a813-89856760d46a.html|title=La nuova legge elettorale, il testo base è in commissione|publisher=ANSA|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} By August 2022, the electoral reform was bogged down in the Chamber's Constitutional Affairs Commission and a proposal by M5S deputy Giuseppe Brescia had been presented to the Italian Parliament but by that time it was already dissolved for snap elections.{{cite web|last=Newll|first=James L.|date=19 August 2022|url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2022/08/19/will-italian-democracy-survive-the-forthcoming-general-election/|title=Will Italian democracy survive the forthcoming general election?|website=LSE Blogs|publisher=London School of Economics and Political Science|access-date=26 September 2022}} Single-member district changes were approved and published on 30 December 2020 in Gazzetta Ufficiale, the Italian government gazette.{{cite news|last=Appignanesi|first=Annalisa|date=30 December 2020|url=https://www.centropagina.it/attualita/marche-riduzione-parlamentari-nuovi-collegi-camera-e-senato/|title=Riduzione dei parlamentari, pubblicati in Gazzetta i nuovi collegi di Camera e Senato|website=CentroPagina|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}} The Chamber was reduced from 232 to 147 districts, and Senate districts were reduced from 116 to 74.{{cite web|last1=Forti|first1=Giovanni|last2=Vernetti|first2=Alessio|date=11 January 2021|url=https://www.youtrend.it/2021/01/11/simulazione-youtrend-se-si-votasse-oggi-con-i-nuovi-collegi-del-rosatellum/|title=Simulazione YouTrend: se si votasse oggi con i nuovi collegi del Rosatellum?|website=YouTrend|language=it|access-date=19 February 2022}}

File:2022-09-25 Candidate lists Calcinaia polling station 01.jpg

The 400 deputies are to be elected, using mixed-member majoritarian representation, as follows:{{cite news|last=Chughtai|first=Alia|date=4 March 2018|title=Understanding Italian elections 2018|publisher=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2018/03/understanding-italian-elections-2018-180303214146994.html|access-date=6 March 2018}}

• 147 in single-member constituencies by plurality (FPTP).
• 245 in multi-member constituencies by national proportional representation.
• 8 in multi-member abroad constituencies by constituency proportional representation.

The 200 elective senators, also using mixed-member majoritarian representation, are to be elected as follows:

• 74 in single-member constituencies by plurality (FPTP).
• 122 in multi-member constituencies by regional proportional representation.
• 4 in single-member abroad constituencies by plurality (FPTP).

File:Plico elettorale 2022 America Meridionale.jpg

For Italian residents, each house member is to be elected in single ballots, including the constituency candidate and their 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 and be part of a coalition obtaining at least 10% 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|date=15 January 2018|title='Hand-to-hand' combat in Italy's election|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-electoral-law-turns-campaign-into-hand-to-hand-battle/|access-date=6 March 2018}}

The voting paper, which is a single one for the FPTP 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|date=20 October 2017 |title=Elezioni, come si vota con il Rosatellum, debutta la nuova scheda elettorale|language=it|work=Today|url=http://www.today.it/politica/elezioni/politiche-2018/come-si-vota.html |access-date=4 March 2018}} The voter is able to cast their vote in three different ways, among them:{{cite news|date=23 July 2017|title=Il Rosatellum bis è legge. Ma come funziona|language=it|publisher=AGI|url=https://www.agi.it/politica/rosatellum_come_funziona-2295382/news/2017-10-27/|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 annulment, 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/elezioni-politiche-2022|title=Elezioni trasparenti. Politiche 2022|publisher=Italian Minister of the Interior|language=it|date=24 September 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

{{main|Opinion polling for the 2022 Italian general election}}

{{wide image|Opinion_Polls_Italy_General_Election_2022.svg|800px|Local regression trend line of poll results from 4 March 2018 to the election day, with each line corresponding to the 2022 general election party lists}}

Since July 2022, when the snap election was first called, Brothers of Italy (FdI) was expected to become the first party, having surged at the opposition during the national unity government, and it became more likely as the election drew near.{{cite news|last=Ben-Ghiat|first=Ruth|title=The Return of Fascism in Italy|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/09/giorgia-meloni-italy-election-fascism-mussolini/671515/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923111236/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2022/09/giorgia-meloni-italy-election-fascism-mussolini/671515/|archive-date=23 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022|work=The Atlantic|date=23 September 2022}} Originally titled "Is Fascism Returning to Italian Politics?" Also in part due the 2017 Italian electoral law and a divided left for the majoritarian system, opinion polls showed that the FdI-led centre-right coalition was highly favoured to win the election with a comfortable majority,{{cite news|last=Broder|first=David|date=22 July 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/opinion/italy-draghi-meloni-government.html|title=The Future Is Italy, and It's Bleak|work=The New York Times|access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite web|date=24 July 2022|title=Brothers of Italy, the far-right party on the cusp of power|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220724-brothers-of-italy-the-far-right-party-on-the-cusp-of-power|access-date=26 September 2022|website=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Press}} in what would be the most right-wing government in the history of the Italian Republic according to some academics.{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Hannah|date=3 August 2022|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-fascist-giorgia-meloni-mario-draghi-silvio-berlusconi-matteo-salvini-racist-mussolini-election/|title=Italy confronts its fascist past as the right prepares for power|website=Politico|access-date=26 September 2022}}

Some mid-July polls showed that the only way to avoid a right-wing alliance victory or to make the election more competitive was the formation of a large big tent coalition including the Democratic Party (PD), minor left-wing and centrist parties, and the PD's 2019–2021 government ally, the Five Star Movement.{{cite news|url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2022/07/19/sondaggi-politici-oggi|title=Crisi governo, come finirebbe se si andasse al voto oggi? Ecco 3 scenari|website=Sky TG24|language=it|date=19 July 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/07/22/franceschini-certifica-la-fine-del-patto-col-m5s-rivendico-quello-che-abbiamo-fatto-con-loro-ma-lo-strappo-rende-impossibile-lalleanza/6715576/|title=Franceschini certifica la fine del patto col M5s: 'Rivendico quello che abbiamo fatto con loro, ma lo strappo rende impossibile l'alleanza'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=22 July 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}{{cite news|last=Fiori|first=Daniele|date=22 July 2022|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/07/22/elezioni-politiche-2022-weber-m5s-e-pd-alleanza-non-conviene-da-soli-potranno-aumentare-il-consenso/6716675/|title=Elezioni politiche 2022, il sondaggista Weber: 'A M5s e Pd l'alleanza non conviene, da soli potranno aumentare il consenso'. Noto: 'Non basterebbe comunque per vincere'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=26 September 2022}} Early August polls showed the Action – Italia Viva (Third Pole) split from the centre-left coalition would not be influential in single-member districts but could cost votes for the centre-left in some competitive districts.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/08/12/elezioni-analisi-youtrend-lalleanza-calenda-renzi-ininfluente-negli-uninominali-in-alcuni-collegi-aumenta-il-vantaggio-del-centrodestra/6760815/|title=Elezioni, analisi YouTrend: l'alleanza Calenda-Renzi ininfluente negli uninominali, in alcuni collegi fa salire il vantaggio del centrodestra|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=13 August 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}

Voter turnout was the lowest in the history of republican Italy at 63.9%,{{cite news|url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/09/elezioni-politiche-italiani-al-voto-i-dati-della-affluenza-gli-exit-poll-le-proiezioni-i-risultati-in-tempo-reale--a8e20abb-c824-4811-85c1-a13a3b53da4a.html|title=Proiezioni: FdI primo partito. Calano M5s, Lega e Forza Italia. Pd al 19%, Terzo polo al 7%|publisher=RAI|language=it|date=26 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} about 9 percentage points below the 2018 election.{{cite news|last=Kirby|first=Paul|date=26 September 2022|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63029909|title=Giorgia Meloni: Italy's far right wins election and vows to govern for all|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 September 2022}}

{{main|Results of the 2022 Italian general election}}

File:Elezioni 2022 Casalecchio di Reno.jpg, Emilia-Romagna]]

After the polls closed at 23:00 CEST, multiple Italian broadcasters published exit polls that projected the centre-right coalition would win a majority of seats in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic.{{cite news|date=25 September 2022|title=Speciale Elezioni 2022 di RaiNews|url=https://www.rainews.it/elezioni-politiche-2022.html|access-date=25 September 2022|publisher=RAI|language=it}}{{cite news|last1=Amante|first1=Angelo|last2=Balmer|first2=Crispian|date=25 September 2022|title=Italy's right wing, led by Meloni, wins election, exit polls say|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polls-open-italy-right-wing-alliance-seen-winning-2022-09-25/|access-date=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|date=25 September 2022|title=Italy's far right set to win election – exit polls|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63029909|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925232312/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63029909|archive-date=25 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}} The vote count certified the victory of the centre-right coalition led by Brothers of Italy (FdI), which went from 4% in 2018 to 26%.{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|title=Giorgia Meloni Wins Voting in Italy, in Breakthrough for Europe's Hard Right|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/25/world/europe/italy-meloni-prime-minister.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 September 2022|work=The New York Times|date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927040606/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/25/world/europe/italy-meloni-prime-minister.html|archive-date=27 September 2022}}

The centre-right coalition won the absolute majority of seats in both houses of Parliament, with 237 seats in the Chamber and 115 in the Senate. First within the alliance came FdI (26.0%), followed by the League (8.7%) and Forza Italia (8.1%), both of whom suffered losses. Us Moderates failed to reach the 1% threshold and have their votes for the centre-right coalition in the national proportional representation but won 7 seats in the Chamber and 2 seats in the Senate thanks to the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. The centre-left coalition slightly improved its 2018 popular vote result but came a distant second in terms of seats, 85 in the Chamber and 44 in the Senate, winning only a few more FPTP seats than the Five Star Movement (M5S). The leading party in the centre-left coalition was the Democratic Party (19.0%), followed by the Greens and Left Alliance (3.6%), which won 12 seats in the Chamber and 4 in the Senate; More Europe narrowly missed the national proportional threshold (3%), while Civic Commitment also failed to reach the 1% threshold but both won 2 seats and 1 seat in the Chamber, respectively. The M5S saw its vote more than halved and won 52 seats in the Chamber and 28 in the Senate but defied single-digits polls in July 2022 by winning 15.4% of the popular vote, thanks in part to a strong performance in Southern Italy. Due to FPTP seats, the League was able to gain more seats in both chambers than the M5S and barely less than the PD (69 to 66 in the Chamber and 40 to 30 in the Senate), despite polling half than the PD and about a third of the M5S in the popular vote. The centrist list composed of Action and Italia Viva (Third Pole) won 21 seats in the Chamber and 9 in the Senate, with 7.8% of the vote.{{cite news|last1=Anzolin|first1=Elisa|last2=Weir|first2=Keith|title=Italy election victors target era of political stability|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/giorgia-melonis-right-triumphs-italys-election-2022-09-26/|access-date=27 September 2022|publisher=Reuters|date=26 September 2022}} Using the Gallagher index, the disproportionality of the Chamber in the election was 12.31 and 10.83 for the Senate; for comparison, the disproportionality in the 2018 election for both houses was 5.50 and 6.12. According to political analyst Wolfango Piccoli, an estimated 30% of voters chose a different party than the one they had voted for in 2018.

In Sicily, the party South calls North won 1 seat in the Chamber and 1 in the Senate. Linguistic minorities representatives like Aosta Valley and the South Tyrolean People's Party also won seats, as well as the Italians-abroad party Associative Movement of Italians Abroad.{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Seán|last2=Voce|first2=Antonio|title=Italian election 2022: live official results|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2022/sep/25/italian-election-2022-live-official-results|access-date=27 September 2022|work=The Guardian}}

{{Results of the 2022 Italian general elections/Chamber overall results}}

{{Results of the 2022 Italian general elections/Senate overall results}}

Of party leaders, Meloni (FdI), Berlusconi (FI), Bonelli (AVS), and Lupi (NM) won in their respective first-past-the-post (FPTP) seats. Others like Di Maio (IC), Bonino (+E), and Calenda (A–IV) lost their FPTP election; Calenda won a seat in the proportional representation (PR) lists.{{cite news|date=27 September 2022|title=Elezioni: da Santanché a Bonino, le sfide nei collegi. Chi ha vinto e chi ha perso. Escluso Bossi|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/09/27/elezioni-da-santanche-a-bonino-le-sfide-nei-collegi.-chi-ha-vinto-e-chi-ha-perso.-escluso-bossi_2a3ae3b9-8295-4fb8-98f7-4ed5ca97b6ce.html|access-date=27 September 2022|publisher=ANSA|language=it}} Letta (PD), Conte (M5S), and Salvini (Lega) did not run in FPTP elections, and won their seats in the PR apportionment.{{cite news|last1=Forgnone|first1=Valeria|last2=Baldolini|first2=Stefano|date=26 September 2022|title=Elezioni 2022: le news del 26 settembre. Al centrodestra 115 senatori e 237 deputati|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/09/26/diretta/elezioni_politiche_2022_risultati_ultime_news_oggi-367310110/|access-date=27 September 2022|work=La Repubblica|language=it}}{{cite web|last=Loquercio|first=Laura|date=26 September 2022|title=Chi è rimasto fuori dal Parlamento|url=https://pagellapolitica.it/articoli/politici-non-eletti-parlamento|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Pagella Politica|language=it}}{{cite news|date=26 September 2022|title=Ecco tra i leader chi si è presentato all'uninominale e chi al proporzionale|url=https://www.agenzianova.com/news/ecco-tra-i-leader-chi-si-e-presentato-alluninominale-e-chi-al-proporzionale/|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Agenzia Nova|language=it}}

In a record-low voter turnout election,{{cite news|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy election: Meloni says center-right bloc has 'clear' mandate|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=https://www.dw.com/en/italy-election-meloni-says-center-right-bloc-has-clear-mandate/a-63233616|access-date=26 September 2022}} exit polls projected that the centre-right coalition would win a majority of seats. Giorgia Meloni was projected to be the winner of the election. Her party, Brothers of Italy, having taken advantage of opposition to the national unity government in 2021–2022, went from 4% in 2018 to 26% in 2022, and received a plurality of seats;{{cite news|last1=Amante|first1=Angelo|last2=Balmer|first2=Crispian|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy's right wing, led by Meloni, wins election, exit polls say|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polls-open-italy-right-wing-alliance-seen-winning-2022-09-25/|access-date=26 September 2022}} per a pre-election agreement within the centre-right coalition, which held that the largest party in the coalition would nominate the next Prime Minister of Italy,{{cite news|last=Balmer|first=Crispian|date=20 September 2022|title=Italy's conservative alliance in lockstep, ready to govern, says Meloni|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-conservative-alliance-lockstep-ready-govern-says-meloni-2022-09-20/|access-date=26 September 2022}} Meloni is the frontrunner. She would be Italy's first female Prime Minister, the first far-right head of government of a major eurozone country,{{cite news|last1=Barry|first1=Colleen|last2=Cook|first2=Lorne|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy's EU partners vigilant as far right set to take power|url=https://apnews.com/article/elections-migration-italy-92c9461fbf324331f14178cbb3e9fdaf|access-date=27 September 2022|work=AP News|publisher=Associated Press}} and its first far-right leader since Benito Mussolini,{{cite web|last1=Leali|first1=Giorgio|last2=Roberts|first2=Hannah|date=25 September 2022|title=Italy on track to elect most right-wing government since Mussolini|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-election-exit-poll-far-right-giorgia-meloni-brothers-of-berlusconi-salvini-mario-draghi/|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}}{{cite news|last1=Braithwaite|first1=Sharon|last2=DiDonato|first2=Valentina|last3=Fox|first3=Kara|last4=Mortensen|first4=Antonia|last5=Nadeau|first5=Barbie Latza|last6=Ruotolo|first6=Nicola|date=26 September 2022|title=Giorgia Meloni claims victory to become Italy's most far-right prime minister since Mussolini|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/25/europe/italy-election-results-intl/index.html|access-date=26 September 2022}} and lead the most right-wing government since World War II.

According to observers, the result of the Italian election, together with far-right gains in the 2022 Spanish regional elections in February and June, the 2022 French legislative election in April, and the 2022 Swedish general election earlier on 11 September shifted the geopolitics of Europe.{{cite web|last=Lemire|first=Jonathan|date=26 September 2022|title=White House anxiously watches Meloni's rise to power|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/26/white-house-anxiously-watches-melonis-rise-to-power-00058935|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}} Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat described Meloni as "an avowed fan of Mussolini", and she argued that her government, apart from being led for the first time by a woman, which Hillary Clinton said it would represent "a break with the past, and that is certainly a good thing",{{cite web |last=Broder |first=David |date=1 September 2022 |title=Hillary Clinton Is Wrong: Electing a Far-Right Woman Is Not a Step Forward for Women |url=https://jacobin.com/2022/09/hillary-clinton-women-far-right-italy-giorgia-meloni-feminism |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Jacobin}}{{cite web |last=Lennard |first=Natasha|date=26 September 2022 |title=It's a Girl (Fascist)! |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/09/26/giorgia-meloni-italy-fascist/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=The Intercept}} to which she responded "Meloni would also represent continuity with Italy's darkest episode: the interwar dictatorship of Benito Mussolini". Historian Timothy Garton Ash argued that "Meloni is undoubtedly an anti-immigration, rightwing populist, a strong social conservative and a Eurosceptic nationalist ... Reactionary and nationalist Meloni's ideology may be, but it has little if any of the glorification of martial violence, let alone the actual violence, that are characteristic of fascism."{{cite news|last=Garton Ash|first=Timothy|date=30 September 2022|title=For a fascist revival look to Moscow, not Rome|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a9a7ca1d-ad96-4d1b-9c4f-8302e8486d07|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times}}{{cite news|date=1 October 2022|title=Il Financial Times su Meloni: 'Per il rischio fascismo bisogna guardare a Mosca non a Roma'|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_ottobre_01/financial-times-meloni-per-rischio-fascismo-bisogna-guardare-mosca-non-roma-221e0d38-4172-11ed-b75b-b72dca12f1fd.shtml|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it}}

The centre-right coalition successfully took advantage of the majoritarian system and stayed united, which the left and centre were not able to achieve. The Five Star Movement (M5S) finished third in terms of popular vote, avoiding an even bigger victory for the right. Despite the win of the right-wing alliance, both Forza Italia and the League suffered losses. Leila Simona Talani of King's College London said that a right-wing government would face many issues and questioned their economic experience. Gianluca Passarrelli of Sapienza University commented: "I think we will see more restrictions on civil rights and policies on LGBT and immigrants." Emiliana De Blasio, adviser for diversity and inclusion at LUISS University in Rome, stated that Meloni is "not raising up at all questions on women's rights and empowerment in general".

Political scientist Lorenzo Castellani commented that the stability and durability of a right-wing government depended on the final results. He said that, at 44%, the Meloni-led coalition "can govern in a much more stable way, without problems". At 42%, they would have had a smaller majority, while a 46–47% result could have given them the necessary first-past-the-post seats to reach the two-thirds supermajority and approve constitutional reforms without a referendum. Observers, such as political scientist Giovanni Orsina, said that far-right supporters would be disappointed by a Meloni government because she is now part of the mainstream right like the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|date=26 September 2022|title=Mixed reactions abroad to Meloni winning Italian elections|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220926-mixed-reactions-in-europe-to-meloni-winning-italian-elections|access-date=30 September 2022|website=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Presse}}

The Democratic Party (PD), the head of the centre-left coalition, conceded defeat shortly after the exit polls.{{cite news|date=25 September 2022|title=Italy's centre-left Democratic Party concedes election defeat|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-centre-left-democratic-party-concedes-election-defeat-2022-09-25/|access-date=26 September 2022}} Meloni said the centre-right coalition has a clear mandate and that Italians had sent "a clear message", while Matteo Salvini stated: "It's a good day for Italy because it has five years of stability ahead of it." Prime ministers from various countries, including Viktor Orbán (Hungary), Mateusz Morawiecki (Poland), Petr Fiala (Czech Republic),{{cite web|date=26 September 2022|title=Premier ceco, 'ansioso di collaborare con Meloni in Ue'|url=https://www.ansa.it/europa/notizie/rubriche/altrenews/2022/09/26/premier-ceco-ansioso-di-collaborare-con-meloni-in-ue_b45e7160-22c4-4e51-a370-d3f1b07f358b.html/|access-date=27 September 2022|publisher=ANSA}} and Liz Truss (United Kingdom) congratulated Meloni, as did far-right politicians Marine Le Pen and Éric Zemmour in France.{{cite news|date=26 September 2022|title=Political reaction to Italian election outcome|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/political-reaction-italian-election-outcome-2022-09-26/|access-date=26 September 2022}} Other European radical right parties and leaders, such as Alternative for Germany and Vox in Spain, also celebrated the right-wing victory.{{cite web|last=Gijs|first=Camille|date=26 September 2022|title=Europe's right wing cheers Meloni's win in Italy, as others look on nervously|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-right-cheer-meloni-election-win-left-dread/|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}} Spain's foreign minister José Manuel Albares said that "populisms always acquire importance and always end in the same way: in catastrophe." Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro, whose son Eduardo signed the anti-leftist Madrid Charter with Meloni, also celebrated her victory, saying he and Meloni chose a similar slogan.{{cite web|last=Schuch|first=Matheus|date=26 September 2022|url=https://valorinternational.globo.com/politics/news/2022/09/26/bolsonaro-derides-oas-mission-celebrates-melonis-rise-in-italy.ghtml|title=Bolsonaro derides OAS mission, celebrates Meloni's rise in Italy|website=Valor International|publisher=Grupo Globo|access-date=5 October 2022}}

Enrico Letta, the PD's secretary, stated "the trend that emerged two weeks ago in Sweden was confirmed in Italy", described it as a "sad day for Italy, for Europe", and called for a reflection within the party. Letta added that his party would provide a "strong and intransigent opposition", and announced he would not stand for the 2023 PD leadership election.{{cite web|last=Gijs|first=Camille|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy's center-left leader Enrico Letta to stand down after election defeat|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italys-center-left-leader-enrico-letta-stands-down-after-election-defeat/|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}} Debora Serracchiani, a senior PD lawmaker, said that it was "a sad evening for the country", adding: "[The right] has the majority in parliament, but not in the country." Giuseppe Conte, leader of the M5S, said he would lead an "uncompromising opposition" and commented: "We will be the outpost for the progressive agenda against inequalities, to protect families and businesses in difficulty, to defend the rights and values of our Constitution."

European Union (EU) officials were reportedly anxious about the aftermath of the results, with France's prime minister Élisabeth Borne saying the EU would follow the situation to make sure that human rights and EU values, including women's access to abortion, are respected.{{cite news|date=26 September 2022|title=Human rights and access to abortion are European values, says France's PM after Italy election|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-prime-minister-says-regarding-italian-election-that-eu-has-certain-values-2022-09-26/|access-date=1 October 2022|publisher=Reuters}} The European Commission expressed their hope towards a positive relationship with the next Italian government. France's president Emmanuel Macron said his country respected the electoral results and that "as neighbors and friends, we must continue to work together. It is within Europe that we will overcome our common challenges." In the United States, the Biden administration was reportedly worried by the results but pledged for cooperation, while prominent Republican Party members celebrated FdI's results. Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, commented: "We are eager to work with Italy's government on our shared goals: supporting a free and independent Ukraine, respecting human rights and building a sustainable economic future."{{cite news|last=Crowley|first=Michael|date=27 September 2022|title=Italy's Hard-Right Lurch Raises New Concerns in Washington|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/us/politics/italy-election-biden.html|url-status=live|access-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928012713/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/us/politics/italy-election-biden.html|archive-date=28 September 2022|issn=0362-4331}}

About a Meloni-led government, Stefano Stefanini, Italy's former ambassador to NATO, stated: "The faithful need to know that her government would be tough on immigration, critical of the EU, and based on traditional values. Moderates, markets and the foreign allies want continuity."{{cite web|last=Heath|first=Ryan|date=26 September 2022|title=Giorgia Meloni's radical transatlantic playbook|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/global-insider/2022/09/26/giorgia-melonis-radical-transatlantic-playbook-00058787|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}} Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Meloni on her victory and expressed interest in collaborating with her government, especially in regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/09/28/news/meloni_zelensky-367631912/|title=Zelensky si congratula con Meloni. La leader FdI: 'Conta sul nostro sostegno'|work=La Repubblica|date=28 September 2022|access-date=28 September 2022}} The Russian government was reported to be pleased by the results. Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We are ready to welcome any political forces that are able to go beyond the established mainstream, which is filled with hate for our country ... and show willingness to be constructive in relations with our country."

Several politicians also congratulated Meloni, especially centre-right and right-wing politicians worldwide, including in Australia,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydD_n343kI0 | title=Senate Speech 27 September 2022 - Congratulations to Giorgia Meloni | website=YouTube | date=27 September 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/26/world-reacts-to-melonis-right-wing-victory-in-italy-election | title=World reacts to right-wing victory in Italy election }} France, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Spain.

The International Auschwitz Committee was shocked by the results, with its executive vice-president Christoph Heubner saying: "For all survivors of the Holocaust and the heirs of the Italian resistance, one of the most important resistance movements against fascism in Europe, this election outcome is a shocking and sad event." Without explicitly mentioning the results, Pope Francis warned against "raising walls against our brothers and sisters".{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Hannah|date=25 September 2022|title=Migrants must be welcomed, Pope Francis says on Italy election day|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-migrants-welcome-italy-election-2022/|access-date=27 September 2022|website=Politico}} Many foreign newspapers and international observers, including Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, the BBC, CNBC,{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2022/09/26/melonis-ascent-to-power-a-balancing-exercise-policy-sonar.html|title=Meloni's ascent to power 'a balancing exercise,' says political risk consultancy|publisher=CNBC|date=26 September 2022|access-date=11 October 2022}} CNN, The Daily Telegraph,{{cite news|last=CrispJames|first=Ariel|date=26 September 2022|title=Giorgia Meloni's victory puts Italy on a collision course with the EU|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/26/giorgia-melonis-victory-puts-italy-collision-course-eu/|access-date=20 October 2022}} Euronews, Le Figaro, Fox News, The Guardian, Haaretz,{{cite news|last=David|first=Ariel|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy's Economic and Political Malaise Has Pushed the Country Into Far-right Hands|work=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2022-09-26/ty-article/.highlight/italys-economic-and-political-malaise-has-pushed-the-country-into-far-right-hands/00000183-7b05-db37-a383-7b3f4bf80000|access-date=27 September 2022}} Le Monde, El Mundo, El País,{{cite news|last=Verdú|first=Daniel|title=La ultraderecha gana las elecciones por primera vez en Italia|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2022-09-26/la-ultraderecha-gana-las-elecciones-por-primera-vez-en-italia.html|access-date=27 September 2022|work=El País|date=25 September 2022|language=es}} The New York Times, Politico, Sky News,{{cite web |last=Parsons|first=Adam|date=26 September 2022|title=Italy will move to the right, the question is just how far |url=https://news.sky.com/story/italy-will-move-to-the-right-the-question-is-just-how-far-12705513 |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=Sky News }}{{cite news|last=Badham|first=Van|date=27 September 2022|title=The election of Italy's fascist-adjacent Giorgia Meloni is a public reminder that women can be just as awful as men|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/27/the-election-of-italys-fascist-adjacent-giorgia-meloni-is-a-public-reminder-that-women-can-be-just-as-awful-as-men|access-date=11 October 2022|work=The Guardian}} Time, The Times,{{cite news|last=Waterfield|first=Bruno|date=26 September 2022|title=Giorgia Meloni PM latest to join Europe's female power group|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/giorgia-meloni-pm-latest-to-join-europes-female-power-group-5gn9p5nhp|access-date=20 October 2022|work=The Times}} the Times of Israel, The Wall Street Journal,{{cite news|last1=Stancati|first1=Margherita|last2=Walker|first2=Marcus|date=26 September 2022|title=Italian Right-Winger Giorgia Meloni Wins Election as Economic Clouds Gather|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-holds-elections-as-economic-clouds-gather-11664108143|access-date=20 October 2022|work=The Wall Street Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007162737/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/27/the-election-of-italys-fascist-adjacent-giorgia-meloni-is-a-public-reminder-that-women-can-be-just-as-awful-as-men|archive-date=7 October 2022}} and The Washington Post,{{cite news|last1=Harlan|first1=Chico|last2=Pitrelli|first2=Stefano|title=Italy election results set up first far-right government since Mussolini|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/25/italy-election-results-meloni-right/|access-date=27 September 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=25 September 2022}}{{cite news|last=Scaldaferri|first=Cecilia|date=25 September 2022|title=Dal Financial Times a Politico, l'attesa per la possibile ascesa di Giorgia Meloni|url=https://www.agi.it/politica/news/2022-09-25/da-financial-times-a-politico-attesa-possibile-ascesa-meloni-18197027/|access-date=20 October 2022|publisher=AGI}} commented the results as a right-wing shift, and several of them described it as the first time that a far-right political party won an Italian election since the end of the Second World War.

French newspaper Libération portrayed the election result as "post-fascism in power",{{cite news|last=Jozsef|first=Eric|title=Elections italiennes: avec Giorgia Meloni, le postfascisme au pouvoir|url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/europe/en-italie-avec-giorgia-meloni-le-post-fascisme-au-pouvoir-20220926_VVS3UR25AVBLHE4VHWZPEGHZNE/|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Libération|date=26 September 2022|language=fr}} as well as a "European earthquake".{{cite news|last=Quinio|first=Paul|title=Extrême droite en Italie: un séisme européen|url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/europe/extreme-droite-en-italie-un-seisme-europeen-20220926_7X5XNYEH7BGHLMZCTBWXEZ5LLI/|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Libération|date=26 September 2022|language=fr}} while the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commented that "Meloni is not the devil",{{cite news|last=Rüb|first=Matthias|title=Wahl in Italien: Meloni ist nicht die Teufelin|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/wahl-in-italien-giorgia-meloni-ist-nicht-die-teufelin-18343106.html|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=26 September 2022|language=de}} and that "the economy hopes for stability".{{cite news|last1=Schubert|first1=Christian|last2=Siedenbiedel|first2=Christian|title=Nach Meloni-Wahl in Italien: Wirtschaft hofft auf Stabilität in Rom|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wahlsieg-in-italien-fuer-meloni-wirtschaft-hofft-auf-stabilitaet-18343805.html|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|date=26 September 2022 |language=de}} Die Zeit observed that whether Meloni would form a new government depends on President Mattarella.{{cite news|last=Ladurner|first=Ulrich|title=Alles hängt jetzt an ihm|url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2022-09/italien-wahlen-mattarella-meloni|access-date=27 September 2022|work=Die Zeit|date=26 September 2022|language=de}} In Britain, the Financial Times wrote that "Giorgia Meloni's victory merits concern but not panic",{{cite news|title=Giorgia Meloni's victory merits concern but not panic|url=https://www.ft.com/content/47c970ab-72a1-4072-aefe-3520b353993f|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times|date=27 September 2022}} having tapped into "Italians' wish for radical change",{{cite news|last=Kazmin|first=Amy|date=26 September 2022|title=Far-right wild card Giorgia Meloni taps into Italians' wish for radical change|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a78315dc-f761-4a40-9375-6782299cfc64|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times}} and cited the "economic storm" she would have to face,{{cite news|last=Kazmin|first=Amy|date=18 October 2022|title=Giorgia Meloni faces economic storm as she prepares to take helm in Italy|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd1b24c8-b309-48ac-b527-d0eaa416672c|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times}} while The Economist reported that business group were preparing to work with the right-wing government, wanting to maintain the cordial relations regardless of who is leading the government as is custom.{{cite news|date=29 September 2022|title=What Italian business makes of Giorgia Meloni|url=https://www.economist.com/business/2022/09/29/what-italian-business-makes-of-giorgia-meloni|url-status=live|access-date=20 October 2022|newspaper=The Economist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929145218/https://www.economist.com/business/2022/09/29/what-italian-business-makes-of-giorgia-meloni|archive-date=29 September 2022}}

{{main|2022 Italian government formation}}

File:Giorgia Meloni Quirinale (2022) (cropped).jpg

The newly elected legislature was seated on 13 October.{{cite news|date=27 September 2022|title=Italy's far-right Meloni begins tricky government talks|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220927-italy-s-far-right-meloni-begins-tricky-government-talks|access-date=28 September 2022|work=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Press}}{{cite news|date=12 October 2022|title=Elezione presidenze camera senato regole tempi modalita|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_ottobre_12/elezione-presidenze-camera-senato-regole-tempi-modalita-602de7c8-4a01-11ed-ade5-d730eb7b7faf.shtml|access-date=12 October 2022|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it}} That same day, Ignazio La Russa of Brothers of Italy was elected President of the Senate of the Republic.{{cite news|last=Giuffrida|first=Angela|date=13 October 2022|title=Brothers of Italy politician who collects fascist relics elected senate speaker|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/13/ignazio-la-russa-brothers-of-italy-politician-fascist-relics-elected-senate-speaker|access-date=20 October 2022|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|date=13 October 2022|title=Far-right veteran elected Italian Senate speaker|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221013-far-right-veteran-elected-italian-senate-speaker|access-date=20 October 2022|work=France 24|publisher=Agence France-Press}}{{cite web|date=13 October 2022|title=Who is the far-right veteran elected Italian Senate speaker?|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20221013/who-is-the-far-right-veteran-elected-italian-senate-speaker/|access-date=20 October 2022|website=The Local}} He is the first politician with a neo-fascist background and to come from a post-fascist party to hold the position, which is the second highest-ranking office of the Italian Republic.{{cite news|last=Mackinson|first=Thomas|date=13 October 2022|title=Ignazio La Russa nuovo presidente del Senato. A un postfascista la seconda carica dello Stato. Un mese fa diceva: 'Siamo tutti eredi del Duce'|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/10/13/ignazio-la-russa-nuovo-presidente-del-senato-primo-postfascista-seconda-carica-dello-stato-un-mese-fa-diceva-siamo-tutti-eredi-del-duce/6837351/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it}} He was elected with some votes from parties outside the centre-right coalition,{{cite news|date=13 October 2022|title=Chi ha votato La Russa dall'opposizione?|url=https://www.ilpost.it/2022/10/13/elezione-la-russa-senato-cosa-e-successo/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Il Post|language=it}}{{cite news|last=Buconi|first=Asia|date=13 October 2022|title=Quei 17 franchi tiratori che hanno votato La Russa dall'opposizione|url=https://www.nextquotidiano.it/chi-sono-i-franchi-tiratori-che-hanno-votato-la-russa-al-senato/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=nextQuotidiano|language=it}}{{cite news|date=13 October 2022|title=Chi sono i franchi tiratori che hanno eletto La Russa: da Renzi a Conte, è caccia ai 'traditori'|url=https://www.ilriformista.it/chi-sono-i-franchi-tiratori-che-hanno-eletto-la-russa-da-renzi-a-conte-e-caccia-ai-traditori-323706/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Il Riformista|language=it}} as Forza Italia did not vote.{{cite news|date=13 October 2022|title=Governo, la Lega indica Fontana per la Camera. La Russa eletto in Senato senza l'appoggio di FI|url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2022/10/13/video/camera-e-senato-eleggono-i-nuovi-presidenti-segui-la-diretta-4541260/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Il Foglio|language=it}} La Russa was proclaimed president by Liliana Segre, a senator for life and Holocaust survivor, who presided the Senate's session due to her being the oldest senator.{{cite news|last=De Gregorio|first=Concita|date=13 October 2022|title=La superstite Segre e il fan del Duce La Russa: al Senato la staffetta degli opposti|url=https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2022/10/13/news/la_superstite_e_il_fan_del_duce_al_senato_la_staffetta_degli_opposti-11637816/|access-date=20 October 2022|work=La Stampa|language=it}} On 14 October, the League's Lorenzo Fontana, who is widely seen as an ultraconservative for his long-time anti-abortion and anti-LGBT views,{{cite web|date=14 October 2022|title=Outrage as Italy's lower house of parliament elects anti-LGBTQ speaker|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20221014/outrage-as-italys-lower-house-of-parliament-elects-anti-lgbtq-speaker/ |access-date=20 October 2022|website=The Local}} was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies.{{cite web|date=14 October 2022|title=Italy parliament elects right-wing Fontana as new speaker|url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-parliament-elects-lorenzo-fontana-speaker.html|access-date=20 October 2022|website=Wanted in Rome}}

As per constitutional convention, the new government formation are preceded by rounds of talks between party leaders and President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella,{{cite news|last=Breda|first=Marzio|date=27 September 2022|title=Consultazioni per il governo dal 17 ottobre. Mattarella punta a un percorso rapido|url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni/22_settembre_27/consultazioni-il-governo-17-ottobre-mattarella-punta-un-percorso-rapido-9580042c-3e2d-11ed-a7d0-8fb77372b6c6.shtml|access-date=28 September 2022|work=Corriere della Sera|language=it}}{{cite news|date=27 September 2022|title=Nuovo governo, in corso incontro tra Meloni e Tajani nella sede Fdi|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/live-post/2022/09/27/governo-tajani-salvini-vicepremier-mattarella-consultazioni-lampo/6819126/|access-date=28 September 2022|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it}}{{cite news|date=3 October 2022|title=Dalla prima seduta del Parlamento all'incarico: Meloni punta a chiudere entro il 20 ottobre|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dalla-prima-seduta-parlamento-all-incarico-meloni-punta-chiudere-entro-20-ottobre-AEummF5B|access-date=3 October 2022|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it}} which took place on 20–21 October.{{cite news|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/10/19/quirinale-il-calendario-delle-consultazioni-per-la-formazione-del-nuovo-governo-il-centrodestra-atteso-unito-al-colle/6844602/|title=Quirinale, il calendario delle consultazioni per la formazione del nuovo governo. Centrodestra (unito) atteso al Colle venerdì|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|date=19 October 2022|access-date=19 October 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/10/consultazioni-con-il-presidente-della-repubblica-per-il-nuovo-governo-92e01557-486a-43f5-b45d-57207f7f329d.html|url-status=live|title=Oggi il centrodestra insieme dal Capo dello Stato. Meloni: 'Pronti a dare un governo all'Italia'|publisher=RAI|language=it|date=20 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020110128/https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/10/consultazioni-con-il-presidente-della-repubblica-per-il-nuovo-governo-92e01557-486a-43f5-b45d-57207f7f329d.html|archive-date=20 October 2022|access-date=20 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.quirinale.it/page/20221020|title=Consultazioni per la formazione del nuovo governo|date=20 October 2022|website=Quirinale|language=it|access-date=21 October 2022}} On 21 October, Mattarella gave Meloni the task of forming a new government, which was officially sworn in on the following day.{{cite news|url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/10/consultazioni-con-il-presidente-della-repubblica-per-il-nuovo-governo-92e01557-486a-43f5-b45d-57207f7f329d.html|url-status=live|title=Il governo Meloni giura oggi al Quirinale|publisher=RAI|language=it|orig-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021134007/https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/10/consultazioni-con-il-presidente-della-repubblica-per-il-nuovo-governo-92e01557-486a-43f5-b45d-57207f7f329d.html|archive-date=21 October 2022|access-date=22 October 2022|date=22 October 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2022/10/21/governo-meloni-ultime-news|url-status=live|title=Nuovo governo, le news. Alle 10 il giuramento di Giorgia Meloni e dei ministri|website=Sky TG24|language=it|orig-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021134336/https://tg24.sky.it/politica/2022/10/21/governo-meloni-ultime-news|archive-date=21 October 2022|access-date=21 October 2022|date=22 October 2022}}

The talks were marred by controversy within the centre-right coalition, in particular between Silvio Berlusconi and Meloni, whom Berlusconi described as "patronising, overbearing, arrogant" and "offensive" in a series of written notes in the Senate.{{cite news|date=14 October 2022|title=Berlusconi calls Meloni arrogant in written notes in Senate|url=https://www.ansa.it/english/news/politics/2022/10/14/berlusconi-calls-meloni-arrogant-in-written-notes-in-senate_fb3b2130-2950-4123-8d75-cfae53aac569.html|access-date=20 October 2022|publisher=ANSA}}{{cite news|last=Kington|first=Tom|date=17 October 2022|title=Silvio Berlusconi undercuts Italian coalition by labelling Meloni arrogant|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/silvio-berlusconi-undercuts-italian-coalition-by-labelling-meloni-arrogant-njj23lzsl|work=The Times|access-date=20 October 2022|issn=0140-0460}}{{cite news|last=Kazmin|first=Amy|date=17 October 2022|title=Berlusconi's sideswipe shows Meloni faces task to keep rivalries in check|url=https://www.ft.com/content/42f588df-5632-4ca6-8f2b-f51e0fab0e04|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times}} Additionally, Berlusconi's views of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin, with whom he said he was rekindling their friendship and claimed to have received vodka as gift and exchanged letters,{{cite news|date=19 October 2022|title=Berlusconi says Putin gifted him vodka, exchanged 'sweet' letters|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/19/berlusconi-on-tape-says-russias-putin-gifted-him-wine-and-vodka|access-date=20 October 2022|publisher=Al Jazeera}}{{cite news|last=Squires|first=Nick|date=20 October 2022|title=Vodka sent by Putin to Berlusconi as a birthday present breached EU sanctions|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/10/20/silvio-berlusconi-blames-ukraine-starting-war-russia-new-audio/|access-date=20 October 2022|issn=0307-1235}} during a group session with his own party were leaked through an audio.{{cite web|date=19 October 2022|title=Berlusconi in fresh row over Putin ties following leaked audio|url=https://www.thelocal.it/20221019/berlusconi-in-fresh-row-over-putin-ties-following-leaked-audio/|access-date=20 October 2022|website=The Local}}{{cite news|last1=Kazmin|first1=Amy|last2=Ricozzi|first2=Giuliana|date=19 October 2022|title=Italy will never be 'weak link' in western alliance, says Giorgia Meloni|url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd1b24c8-b309-48ac-b527-d0eaa416672c|access-date=20 October 2022|work=Financial Times}}{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|date=20 October 2022|title=Berlusconi, Caught on Tape Gushing Over Putin, Heightens Anxiety About Italy|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/20/world/europe/silvio-berlusconi-vladimir-putin-russia-italy.html|access-date=20 October 2022|issn=0362-4331}} Meloni declared that "Italy, with its head high, is part of Europe and the Atlantic alliance", before adding: "Whoever doesn't agree with this cornerstone cannot be part of the government, at the cost of not having a government."{{cite web|last1=Giordano|first1=Elena|last2=Hanke Vela|first2=Jakob|date=20 October 2022|title=Meloni slams Berlusconi over Putin remarks|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-giorgia-meloni-slams-silvio-berlusconi-over-vladimir-putin-remarks-war-ukraine/|access-date=22 October 2022|website=Politico}}{{cite news|date=20 October 2022|title=New Italy government will be pro-NATO, pro-Europe, says Meloni|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/new-italy-government-wont-be-the-weak-link-west-says-meloni-2022-10-19/|access-date=22 October 2022|work=Reuters}}

• 2022 Sicilian regional election
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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20220925110514/https://elezioni.interno.gov.it/camera/scrutini/20220925/scrutiniCI Election results] at Eligendo (in Italian)

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Category:General elections in Italy

General election