The 2022 Italian general elections marked a turning point, featuring a reduced-size parliament–following a constitutional reform that cut the number of parliamentarians–and the formation of Western Europe’s first radical right-led government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This article introduces a special issue examining the 2022 elections and the effects of this political shift on parliament, government and party competition. Despite the potential for disruption, most changes have been incremental rather than transformative. We cover a range of topics: party strategies during the 2022 campaign, legislative behaviour in the downsized parliament, the formation and functioning of the Meloni government, and party positions and strategies in areas such as defence, women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ issues. While the ideological positions of the main governing parties remain radical, their actions have been shaped by institutional constraints, international commitments, and strategic adaptation. Overall, this special issue sheds light on the balance between continuity and change in Italian politics in the early years of the Meloni government.
