Abstract

This article analyses the composition of the parliamentary groups of Forza Italia in both branches of the Italian parliament comparing the 1994, 1996, and 2001 data. By so doing it attempts to contribute to a better knowledge of political movement of "Forza Italia", the party founded by the prime minister Berlusconi. After describing the social and political characteristics of the parliamentarian élite, the criteria utilized for the recruitment of the parliamentarians and their places of origin, the article analyses the nature of Forza Italia and the changes the new party brought into the Italian political system. In the end, it raises the question of its suitability to support its leader in order not to repeat the failure of 1994 and questions whether Forza Italia will be able to lead the Italian transition to completion within the mould of a majoritarian democracy.