The evolution of the Italian opposition in the last twenty years: has anything changed?

In order to understand the evolution of the Italian political system over the past two decades, we have to consider the changes undergone by one fundamental institutional actor, that is, the parliamentary opposition. Its transformation can in fact be used as a valid indicator of change in the whole political system and it will also help us to reflect on the possible transformation of the Italian model of democracy. The 20-year path that has brought Italy to the current political situation, with the emergence of three different poles of approximately equal strength; the rise of the Five Star Movement; and the creation of a grand coalition consisting of traditional political opponents will be reconstructed by re-examining the evolution of the political system from the perspective of the changing role and functions of the parliamentary opposition, thus contributing to a better understanding of the (new) political phase initiated by the outcome of the 2013 election.