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International Journal of Public Leadership : The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the personalization of the government in Italy
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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.
Luigi Rullo - Personal Name
NONE
Text
ENGLISH
EMERALD INSIGHT
2021
ENGLAND
lLMU PEMERINTAHAN
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APA Citation
Luigi Rullo. (2021).International Journal of Public Leadership : The COVID-19 pandemic crisis
and the personalization
of the government in Italy.(Electronic Thesis or Dissertation). Retrieved from https://localhost/etd