The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the personalization of the government in Italy Luigi Rullo Primary Author mixed material bibliography ENGLAND EMERALD INSIGHT 2021 monographic en ENGLISH

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BAIK Purpose – The article investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated and deepened the presidentialization of politics in Italy. It examines how a series of innovative rules and procedures adopted by the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to face the extraordinary event are part of a permanent presidentialization dynamic. Design/methodology/approach – This study analyzes the role of prime minister in coping with the pandemic in Italy within the analytical framework of the personalization of politics. Section 1 investigates how the prime minister has resorted to autonomous normative power through intensive use of the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (DPCM). Section 2 observes the establishment of a more direct relationship with citizens through extensive use of digital communication and high engagement. Section 3 analyzes the “personal task force” appointed by the prime minister and highlights a new balance between technocratic/ private roles and politics undermining democratic accountability. Findings – By examining three main aspects of the personalization of politics, the article observes that the COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated the movement to presidentialization of power in Italy. It argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened political and institutional trends already in place before the crisis. Originality/value – The article expands the comparative research on the presidentialization of politics. The Italian case clearly underlines how the pandemic crisis represented a further step of progressive dominance of the “executive” over the other branches of government. The article suggests an agenda for future crossinstitutional and cross-national analysis. Decision making, Italy, Government, Political lead NONE Repository Universitas Langlangbuana Sistem Repository Elektronik Skripsi, Tesis, Desertasi dan Penelitian Dosen Universitas Langlangbuana JC301IJPL-21V17.2.5 My Library The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the personalization of the government in Italy International_Journal_of_Public_Leadership.png.png 2691 2023-12-22 09:46:42 2023-12-22 09:47:44 machine generated