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| Azione (political party) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Azione |
| Native name | Azione |
| Leader | Carlo Calenda |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Rome |
| Ideology | Liberalism; Third Way |
| Position | Centre |
| Colors | Blue, white |
Azione (political party) is an Italian centrist political party established in 2019 by Carlo Calenda. It emerged from a split with Democratic Party figures and has sought to occupy a pro-European, liberal space between Forza Italia and the left-wing Five Star Movement. Azione has engaged with institutions such as the European Parliament, contested regional and national elections, and participated in coalition negotiations with parties like Italia Viva and +Europa.
Azione was launched in 2019 after Carlo Calenda left his role as Minister of Economic Development in the Conte I Cabinet and later distanced himself from the PD leadership under Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni. Early organizational steps included recruitment from civic movements associated with figures like Edoardo Nesi, collaboration with former Olive Tree allies, and public events in cities including Rome, Milan, and Turin. The party contested the 2019 European Parliament elections in alliances with liberal partners, while internal debates mirrored splits seen in other centrist formations such as Forza Italia and Lega Nord. Azione subsequently played roles in the 2021 local elections and the 2022 general election season, negotiating with centrist lists led by Matteo Renzi's Italia Viva and pro-European groups including +Europa.
Azione positions itself as a pro-European, social-liberal party advocating market-oriented reform and social cohesion. Its platform draws on policy themes favored by liberal figures like Emmanuel Macron and centrist currents associated with Tony Blair and the Third Way; it endorses integrationist stances toward institutions such as the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Economic proposals reference fiscal rules shaped by frameworks like the Stability and Growth Pact and development initiatives akin to the Next Generation EU recovery plan. On regulatory matters, Azione aligns with perspectives found in studies from OECD and policy agendas promoted by actors including BusinessEurope and Confindustria.
The party's founder and leading figure is Carlo Calenda, who previously served under prime ministers Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni. Organizational structures include a national secretariat, local chapters across regions such as Lombardy, Lazio, Campania, and youth wings comparable to those of Young Democrats (Italy). Prominent personalities associated with Azione have included former ministers, municipal administrators from cities like Bologna and Genoa, and public intellectuals who previously worked with institutions like LUISS University and European Commission circles. Decision-making mechanisms emphasize congresses, statutory bodies, and electoral committees employing procedures similar to those used by PD and Forza Italia.
Azione's electoral history includes participation in European, regional, and national ballots. In the 2019 European Parliament campaign and subsequent regional contests, it sought alliances with liberal lists and centrist groupings. During the 2022 Italian general election cycle, Azione negotiated seat-sharing arrangements with Italia Viva and other pro-European partners, competing for representation in the Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Performance varied by region: it performed relatively strongly in urban centers such as Milan and Rome, while facing stiffer competition in southern regions like Sicily and Calabria where populist and right-wing forces including Brothers of Italy and Lega Nord held sway.
Azione advocates for policies in areas such as industrial competitiveness, innovation, and public administration reform. It has promoted investments in sectors tied to the Italian manufacturing industry and digital transformation initiatives resonant with programs from the European Commission's digital agenda. On energy and infrastructure, the party has supported pragmatic approaches referencing projects like the Trans-European Transport Network while engaging with debates around the European Green Deal and national energy strategies. Social policies emphasize meritocracy and welfare reforms comparable to proposals advanced by centrist parties in France and Germany, and the party supports deeper cooperation with international institutions including the United Nations for migration management.
Azione has pursued tactical and strategic alliances with centrist and liberal actors. It entered electoral cooperation with +Europa and Italia Viva in various contests, negotiating joint lists and common platforms akin to centrist coalitions seen in other European systems. At local level, Azione formed governance pacts with municipal mayoralties and civic lists in cities such as Turin and Bergamo. Nationally, coalition talks have involved discussions with the PD as well as attempts to mediate between pro-European liberals and moderate conservatives like Forza Italia.
Reception of Azione has been mixed. Supporters and commentators from outlets like Il Sole 24 Ore and commentators linked to Corriere della Sera praised its pro-business, pro-European clarity, while critics from publications such as Il Fatto Quotidiano and political actors on the left and right accused it of centrism perceived as opportunistic. Analysts from think tanks including ISPI and Censis have scrutinized its electoral strategy and capacity to build durable bases against entrenched parties like Five Star Movement and Brothers of Italy. Internal critiques have pointed to leadership-centric organization and challenges in translating urban support into broader regional strength.
Category:Political parties in Italy Category:Liberal parties