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| Azione (Italy) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Azione |
| Native name | Azione |
| Leader | Carlo Calenda |
| Foundation | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Rome |
| Ideology | Liberalism; Progressive liberalism; Pro-Europeanism |
| Position | Centre |
| European | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party |
Azione (Italy) Azione is an Italian political party founded in 2019 as a centrist, pro-European formation led by Carlo Calenda, emerging from the milieu of reformist currents within contemporary Italian politics. It situates itself between the blocs represented by Partito Democratico (Italy) and Forza Italia, advocating market-oriented reforms, strong ties with European Union, and technocratic governance inspired by policy networks associated with OECD, European Commission, and Italian entrepreneurial associations. Since its inception Azione has engaged in electoral contests at municipal, regional, national, and European levels, forming tactical coalitions and influencing debates on innovation, public administration, and European integration.
Azione was launched by Carlo Calenda after his tenure as Minister of Economic Development (Italy) in the cabinets of Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni, drawing on networks linked to Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa alumni, business federations such as Confindustria, and policy platforms influenced by Enrico Letta-era reformism. Its formation followed realignments within Partito Democratico (Italy), tensions with leaders like Nicola Zingaretti, and the broader fragmentation after the 2018 general election and 2019 European Parliament elections. Early organizational steps included cooperation with civic lists in municipal contests such as Rome municipal election, Turin municipal election, and strategic alliances with centrist actors including Italia Viva and local formations tied to Matteo Renzi and Giuseppe Conte-aligned movements. The party consolidated through ballot performances in the 2022 general election, negotiating joint lists with +Europa and forming wider coalitions with Partito Democratico (Italy) in several regions. Key moments also involved debates over alliances with Lega Nord-opposed coalitions, positioning during the Conte II Cabinet and reactions to the formation of the Giorgia Meloni-led government.
Azione self-identifies with liberalism and progressive centrism, blending policy prescriptions associated with Angela Merkel-style ordoliberalism and technocratic reform agendas promoted by Christine Lagarde and Ursula von der Leyen. Its platform emphasizes commitments to the European Green Deal, structural reforms advocated by Francois Heisbourg-adjacent think tanks, and support for innovative industry policies reminiscent of proposals from European Investment Bank-backed programmes. On social issues the party aligns with positions advanced by advocates such as Emma Bonino and Luciana Castellina on civil liberties. Economic proposals reference frameworks used by International Monetary Fund mission reports and echo ideas from Giovanni Tria and other Italian finance thinkers, focusing on tax simplification, investment in research institutions like CNR, and regulatory certainty to attract multinational firms including those that collaborate with Ansaldo Energia. Public administration reforms point to models from Nordic model proponents and OECD recommendations.
Azione's formal leadership is centered on Carlo Calenda as secretary, supported by a national assembly drawing members from former Partito Democratico (Italy), Scelta Civica (Italy), and civic lists led by municipal figures from Bologna, Milan, and Naples. Its organizational structure includes regional secretariats interacting with local chapters that have engaged personalities like former ministers, business leaders linked to Confindustria, and academics from Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza". The party has employed campaign strategists with ties to European political consultancies that worked on campaigns for figures such as Emmanuel Macron and Pedro Sánchez, and collaborates with policy institutes including Fondazione Luigi Einaudi and Istituto Affari Internazionali. Internal governance features primary-like selection mechanisms for candidate lists, echoing practices seen in Partito Democratico (Italy) primaries and in primaries organized by +Europa.
Azione contested municipal elections in Rome, Turin, Milan, and other cities, often as part of broader centre-left coalitions involving Partito Democratico (Italy) and +Europa. In the 2019 European Parliament elections its impact was limited but served as a mobilizing base for later coalitions; in the 2022 general election Azione joined the Centrist alliance formations and secured representation in the Chamber of Deputies (Italy), with elected deputies who had backgrounds in Italian public administration and European institutions like the European Parliament. Results varied regionally, with stronger showings in northern urban constituencies such as Lombardy and Veneto urban areas, reflecting support among professionals and entrepreneurs represented by Confcommercio and Confesercenti. By-elections and municipal runs have provided incremental growth, while coalition negotiations with Partito Democratico (Italy) shaped parliamentary presence and committee assignments in the Italian Parliament.
Legislative priorities advanced by Azione's parliamentary group include bills promoting digital transformation inspired by EU digital strategies, measures to streamline taxation modeled after proposals from OECD working groups, and labour market reforms drawing on concepts advocated by Istituto Nazionale Previdenza Sociale advisers. The party has sponsored or supported initiatives on industrial policy, public procurement reform informed by Directive 2014/24/EU frameworks, and investments in transport infrastructure echoing projects supported by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and ANAS. On civil rights, Azione backed measures resonant with positions of Radical Party (Italy) activists and liberal human rights NGOs. The party also engaged in debates over COVID-19 recovery spending aligned with Next Generation EU priorities and Recovery and Resilience Facility implementation.
Azione aligns with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party at the European level and seeks camaraderie with centrist formations such as Renew Europe, liberal groupings supporting Ursula von der Leyen, and national parties including En Marche! and Ciudadanos. Its foreign policy stance favors strong ties with NATO, transatlantic cooperation with partners like United States administrations, and a pragmatic approach to relations with Russia and China focused on sanctions coordination and trade reciprocity as discussed within European Council fora. The party participates in transnational policy networks alongside think tanks such as Carnegie Europe and European Council on Foreign Relations, shaping positions on Mediterranean affairs, migration dialogues with Libya stakeholders, and EU enlargement debates involving Western Balkans.