Italy’s right turn. A spatial analysis of party competition in the 2022 Italian national election

The study examines the 2022 Italian election, where the Brothers of Italy (FDI) surged from 4 per cent to 26 per cent of the vote. Using a spatial model and expert survey data, it analyses the policy shifts of FDI and other parties from 2013 to 2022. The findings indicate that FDI’s radical positions on cultural issues, particularly the EU and immigration, were key to its success. Additionally, internal policy divisions within the centre-left parties hindered a pre-electoral coalition, contributing to FDI’s rise. This research provides insights into electoral competition dynamics in Italy and the broader impact of populist radical right parties in Europe.