Italian Foreign Policy: Domestic Politics, International Requirements and the European Dimension

Italy’s foreign policy has always been heavily influenced by its domestic politics. Despite the fact that ideological cleavages are less profound, even in the post-Cold War period the difficulties of the Italian political system have jeopardized a successful foreign policy. One of the crucial factors contributing to this paradox has been the attitude on the European dimension of Italy’s foreign policy, which has become a partisan issue. While the Berlusconi government confined the European dimension to a subordinate position with respect to bilateral relations with the USA, the Prodi government is attempting the opposite approach. The lack of bipartisan consensus is threatening an effective foreign policy at a time in which international changes require a quick capacity to adapt.