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Surfing and trying to keep afloat: The political communication process in a highly fragmented coalition led by a ‘Great Mediator’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2016

Franca Roncarolo  and
Marinella Belluati
Franca Roncarolo*
Affiliation:
University of Torino, Italy
Marinella Belluati
Affiliation:
University of Torino, Italy
*
∗Corresponding author. Email: franca.roncarolo@unito.it
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Abstract

This article analyses the experience of the second Prodi government from the standpoint of its political communication. The opening part contextualises the case by placing it within the broader framework of coalition governments generally, and briefly outlines the critical elements that, in Italy, prevent any majority from making a genuinely strategic use of communication in the policy-making process. The second part focuses on Prodi's poor communication, highlighting both its limits and the attempts at improvement made by the leader and his staff in 2007. Finally, the third part examines the journalistic coverage of the centre-left majority and considers the trend in public approval for the premier and the government, emphasising the problems that emerged on each side.

Keywords

Prodi, RomanoBerlusconi, Silviopermanent campaignpolitical journalism
Type
Research Article
Information
Modern Italy , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , August 2008 , pp. 333 - 348
Copyright
Copyright © Association for the study of Modern Italy 

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