In 2011, Silvio Berlusconi's government fell amid a severe financial crisis that called into question the sustainability of Italy's enormous public debt. But Italy's entire political class suffered a downgrade at the hands of Europe, the markets, national elites, and many Italian citizens.

List of Abbreviations Chronology of Italian Political Events, 2011 Compiled by Rinaldo Vignati ARTICLES Introduction: The Monti Government and the Downgrade of Italian Parties Anna Bosco and Duncan McDonnell End of an Era: The Disintegration of the Italian Party System Luigi Ceccarini, Ilvo Diamanti and Marc Lazar The Formation of the Monti Government and the Role of the President of the Republic Carlo Fusaro The Transformation of Party Leadership Mauro Barisione The 2011 local elections: Berlusconi lost. But who won? Guido Legnante Federal Reform: The End of the Beginning or the Beginning of the End? Emanuele Massetti The Italian Candidate: The Appointment of Mario Draghi to the Presidency of the European Central Bank Kenneth Dyson and Lucia Quaglia The Berlusconi Government and the Sovereign Debt Crisis Erik Jones Italy and the International Intervention In Libya Osvaldo Croci and Marco Valigi The Womens’ Protest: A Success with Many Shadows Chiara Saraceno Confindustria in Opposition Giuseppe Berta The June Referendums. A Partial Victory Chiara Carrozza Italy’s 150th Anniversary: Commemorating the Past in a Divided Country John Foot and Samantha Owen Documentary Appendix Compiled by Valentina Sartori About the Editors and Authors