Forza Italia
A clear guide to Forza Italia (FI) in Italy: its history, liberal conservatism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Italy
- Founded
- 2013 (revival of the 1994 party)
- Position
- Centre-right
- Leader
- Antonio Tajani
- Headquarters
- Rome
Forza Italia (FI) is a centre-right party that combines liberal conservatism and Christian democracy. It was created and led by Silvio Berlusconi until his death in 2023, and is now led by Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and foreign minister in Giorgia Meloni's government. It is the most pro-European party in the coalition and a member of the European People's Party.
History
The original Forza Italia was launched by Berlusconi, a media entrepreneur, in 1994 and won power within months. Berlusconi served as prime minister three times, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006 and 2008 to 2011. In 2009 the party merged into the People of Freedom, then was revived under its old name in 2013.
It was overtaken on the right by the League in 2018 and by Brothers of Italy in 2022. After Berlusconi's death, Tajani, a former President of the European Parliament, took over.
Economic Policy
FI favours lower taxes, less bureaucracy, support for business and a market economy, and opposes wealth taxes. It has sought higher minimum pensions.
Foreign Policy
Forza Italia is strongly pro-European and pro-NATO, and supports Ukraine.
Where They Stand
- Favours lower taxes and less red tape for business
- Is strongly pro-European and pro-NATO
- Supports higher minimum pensions
- Backs a schooling-based path to citizenship for children of immigrants
- Opposes wealth taxes
Electoral Record
Forza Italia won 8.1 percent in 2022 and 9.6 percent in the 2024 European election, slightly ahead of the League.
Position on the Political Compass
Forza Italia sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Silvio Berlusconi
Founder and Prime Minister three times
A media entrepreneur who dominated Italian politics from 1994 until the 2010s.
Antonio Tajani
Party secretary since 2023
A former President of the European Parliament who leads the party in government.
Sources and Further Reading
- Forza Italia (2013) (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websiteforza-italia.it
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Italy political test to see how your views compare with Forza Italia and the other parties.
Take the Italy Test
Social Policy
It is moderate to conservative on social issues and has positioned itself as the liberal voice in the coalition, for example supporting a citizenship path based on schooling for children of immigrants.