Italy in the EU: Between Populism and Sovereignism

• In Event: Populism, Italian Style

Abstract

Italy presents an interesting case for the study of the recent trend in populism and its attendant political position on the EU, Euroscepticism. It has two governing parties – Lega and Movimento 5 Stelle - that have been branded as populist, each espousing anti-EU positions. Their critical positions on European integration are at odds with at least part of their electorate as public opinion is still largely in favour not only of Italy’s continued membership in the EU but also deepening integration even further in both economic governance, foreign policy and immigration.

The aim of this paper is three-fold. First, it wants to begin to understand the contradictions and tensions that exist between and within the governing and supposedly populist parties. Second, it wants to contribute to the literature on populism and Euroscepticism by arguing that the two parties are fundamentally different in their approaches to political power, democratic institutions and globalization. We want to go beyond arguments about “left” and “right” wing populism to focus on the distinction between populism and sovereignism. The paper will argue that the Lega’s sovereignist understanding of how political power is to be organized and used is more likely to bring it to clash with the institutions and policies of the EU, despite an electorate that is largely in favour of economic liberalization and Italy’s participation in the Euro. Third, we want to explore how the differences between populism and sovereignism might help our understanding of Euroscepticism in general.

The paper will be divided into three sections. The first will provide a critical look at some of the literature on populism and point out how it may not entirely capture the Italian case. The second section will look at the M5S and Lega to highlight their differences and point out how sovereignism is not necessarily populism. The third section will look at what the Italian case of populism and sovereignism may tell us about Euroscepticism. The paper will draw from primary documents and survey material.

Authors

• Vincent Della Sala, Università degli Studi di Trento

• Marco Brunazzo, University of Trento