The Return of Politics

<p> By the spring of 1998 it had become clear that Italy after considerable effort had succeeded in bringing its public finances into line with the Maastricht parameters for joining the European Monetary Union. This was generally viewed as an important success of the Olive Tree coalition government led by Romano Prodi and a sign that Italian political life had become normal. Nevertheless the Bicameral Commission which should have fostered a radical consitutional reform with the aim to stabilize and strengthen the bipolar structure of the party system and the majoritarian functioning of democracy in Italy was dismantled in June. Moreover in October 1998 the Prodi government suddenly collapsed because of the internal opposition of the Neo-Communist wing of its parliamentary majority a further demonstration that the Italian transition towards a more effective democratic rule is far from complete.</p>