How Italy's Forza Italia reinvented itself after the death of its iconic founder

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded by Silvio Berlusconi in 1994, Forza Italia has navigated decades of Italian political turbulence. Following Berlusconi's passing in 2023, the party underwent a significant structural transformation, officially retiring his title as president and appointing Antonio Tajani as its first secretary to guide the party into a new era.

Forza Italia emerged in 2013 as a revival of the original party that had previously merged into the People of Freedom (PdL). Its history is defined by constant internal flux, marked by high-profile departures and the shifting loyalties of its members. Early in its second iteration, the party faced significant splits, including the exit of Angelino Alfano’s New Centre-Right and later the departure of Raffaele Fitto, who launched his own faction before eventually leaving the party entirely in 2015. These internal divisions often centered on the party's strategic direction, particularly regarding its relationship with other centre-right entities like the League.

The party's electoral fortunes have fluctuated significantly since its 2013 relaunch. In the 2014 European Parliament election, it secured 16.8% of the vote, but by the 2019 European Parliament election, it hit a historic low of 8.8%. Despite these challenges, the party remained a key player in Italian governance, participating in the national unity cabinet led by Mario Draghi and later joining the Meloni Cabinet in 2022 with five ministers. This period of governance saw the party navigate complex negotiations, including the fallout from its abstention during a critical confidence vote that ultimately triggered a snap election.

Following the death of Silvio Berlusconi in June 2023, the party faced an existential moment. To honor his legacy, the national council amended the party statutes to permanently reserve the title of president for Berlusconi, effectively ending the era of his singular leadership. Antonio Tajani, who had served as vice president and held high-level roles such as President of the European Parliament, was unanimously elected as the party's first secretary. This transition marked a formal shift toward a more institutionalized structure, supported by a new leadership team of deputy secretaries, as the party sought to stabilize its identity within the broader centre-right coalition.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How a party born from neo-fascist roots became Italy's dominant political force today
• How a political 'scrapper' built a new party from the ashes of the left
• How Italy's Lega evolved from a northern secessionist movement to a national political force
• Why no single party has ever governed Italy alone since unification
• Can a retired general’s radical new party redefine the Italian political landscape?
• Franklin, Tennessee: From a rural agricultural outpost to a booming modern corporate hub
• How the British Foreign Office evolved from 18th-century roots to a modern global ministry
• 121 Pacific isles form France’s only overseas country
• Why nearly 30 percent of the global population faces a daily struggle for food
• How a French colonial experiment reshaped the Caribbean landscape and its modern identity
• How a cost-cutting measure turned a city's water supply into a public health disaster.
• Less than one percent of Earth's water is readily available for human use

More in Physical geography · More in Nature · Latest · A–Z · All topics