Italian Election Series - 1984 General Elections

[Antonio the Sixth]

The results of the 1982 elections plunged the country into a few weeks of uncertainty. With the main parties of the incumbent government losing ground while extremist forces on both sides were on the rise, government formation would prove more arduous than it had been in a long while. Moro, taking these results as a personal defeat, immediately announced his resignation and retirement from political life. As the government formation talks drew longer, with Moro unwilling to hang in, President Fanfani appointed the fellow PDPer Giovanni Spadolini as a temporary replacement.

Finally, early in the summer, a deal was reached between PCI, PSI, PDP and PLI. PSI's Bettino Craxi, who had been the most skillful negotiator, was given the PM spot. PDP, PSI and PLI all were abundantly represented in government, while PCI chose to only provide external (and very lukewarm) support. The radicals, no longer necessary for government stability and seen as eternal troublemakers, were pushed back in opposition.

The government was relatively successful in its first year. Craxi gave in to the PCI's requests for significant raises in unemployment benefits, retirement pensions and various other allowances. Apart from that, the government did not undertake any reform of importance. The 1983 presidential election was also fairly smooth. The parties had agreed to choose the old socialist (and resistance) leader Sandro Pertini, whose stature largely transcended partisan affiliations. Liberal defections were largely compensated by occasional support from Radical or DP parliamentarians.

However, by late 1982, inflation had started ballooning once again, and by early 1984 it had taken disastrous proportions. The government's attempts to address this crisis went nowhere, due to sharp disagreements within the coalition as to the means to be used. Finally, in February 1984, Craxi resolved to take the initiative on his own. With a governmental decree, he significantly cut the price-wage linking scheme (this so-called "escalator" system, which had been established by the post-Civil War government, automatically readjusted wages to inflation).

While this bold action was applauded by part of the press and generally accepted by the other government parties, PCI was furious about a measure which would (at least in the short term) increase the cost of living for workers. Just a few days later, the party introduced a no-confidence motion, which easily passed. Soon realizing that no agreement could be found, President Pertini resigned himself to calling new elections for May. The new legislature would decide whether to convert Craxi's decree into law or to return to the old system. A new referendum spearheaded by the Radicals also made it to the ballot.


List of parties:

Proletarian Democracy (DP) Still a far-left marxist party which denounces the PCI as traitors and accomplices of bourgeois forces. Emboldened by its recent electoral performance, it hopes to gain further ground in a time of economic difficulties for the working class.

Italian Communist Party (PCI) Still led by Berlinguer, who, after having put his hopes into an arrangement with establishment parties (which did indeed result in a few significant policy victories) has been outraged by Craxi's unilateral decision to cut the "escalator". The party pledges to use all its political leverage in the next legislature to prevent the decree from becoming law, and hopes that its pragmatic, case-by-case approach toward government support will be appreciated by left-wing voters.

Italian Socialist Party (PSI) The party's leader Bettino Craxi is increasingly gaining the stature of a skillful and strong-willed statesman. He hopes to benefit from this increased prestige and convince left-wing voters that his decision ultimately was in the best interest of the working class, as the only way to durably contain inflation.

Radical Party (PR) Back in opposition, the PR has kept spreading its vehement message of change, progress and liberty, and championing new societal struggles. It more and more strongly denounces "partitocracy" at a time when the first (fairly minor) corruption scandals are starting to surface.

Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Following Moro's retirement, the lead of the centrist party has been inherited by Giovanni Spadolini, who, though lacking Moro's personal charisma and political skills, is also fairly popular on his own. The party also supports measures to fight inflation, seeking compromise between the establishment parties.

Italian Liberal Party (PLI) The PLI has been the staunchest supporter of tough austerity policies, calling for more stringent monetary and budgetary policies. Zanone has tried to avoid too virulent critics at public spending, which could alienate centrist voters, but its orientation is still clearly neoliberal.

National Right (DN) Once again, the party of conservatives, nationalists and other hard-right-wingers. Its attitude toward economic policy is not clear, with a mixture of free-market ideology and populist leanings.

[minionofmidas]

Time to close the polls.

[DC Al Fine]

Italian Liberal Party (PLI) The PLI has been the staunchest supporter of tough anti-austerity policies, calling for more stringent monetary and budgetary policies. Zanone has tried to avoid too virulent critics at public spending, which could alienate centrist voters, but its orientation is still clearly neoliberal.

Typo?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Italian Liberal Party (PLI) The PLI has been the staunchest supporter of tough anti-austerity policies, calling for more stringent monetary and budgetary policies. Zanone has tried to avoid too virulent critics at public spending, which could alienate centrist voters, but its orientation is still clearly neoliberal.

Typo?

Ugh, yeah. LOL Thanks for pointing it out.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

PCI.

[Dereich]

Alas poor Moro

PLI, to do what must be done.

[Supersonic]

National Right of course.

[traininthedistance]

PSI once again.

[Goldwater]

PLI, as usual.

[H. Ross Peron]

PLI, as usual.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Alas poor Moro

Well, he had a better run than IRL.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

PCI.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Does the price-wage linking scheme apply to all industries?

[Peter the Lefty]

Leaning towards the PCI, though I can understand Craxi's position.  But I do think that the ruling political class always seems to think that the working class should bear the brunt of anti-inflation measures, and the rich haven't had to make any major financial sacrifices.  So PCI again.

[RogueBeaver]

PLI, as usual.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Does the price-wage linking scheme apply to all industries?

From my reading of the Italian wiki, it seems like it does apply to all, yes. Or at least to all those that have branch agreements.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

National Right, although PLI would be fine too.

[Antonio the Sixth]

BTW, it just crossed my mind that the PCI in this scenario has so far always been below its real-life results. Yes, even our 1982 election had PCI 0.6 points below its actual 1983 level. Time to buck the trend, isn't it?

[Supersonic]

Bye bye PDP. Nice knowing ya'.

[DC Al Fine]

Bye bye PDP. Nice knowing ya'.

The new DC. Atlas does not like Moderate Hero parties.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Bye bye PDP. Nice knowing ya'.

The new DC. Atlas does not like Moderate Hero parties.

Such a shame... Moderate Hero parties are what made the First Republic so awesome.

[Leftbehind]

Bye bye PDP. Nice knowing ya'.

The new DC. Atlas does not like Moderate Hero parties.

Could've fooled me, they've been governing Italy most of the time!

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Does the price-wage linking scheme apply to all industries?

From my reading of the Italian wiki, it seems like it does apply to all, yes. Or at least to all those that have branch agreements.

all the more reason to vote PLI then.

[politicallefty]

I support the PSI as a vote for stability.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Bump. Slightly less than 24 hours left.