What do people want from politics: A study shows how divided Italy is shortly before the elections. From radical to authoritarian, from anarchist to totalitarian: Here is an overview of the extreme values in Italy. On 25 September, the new government will be elected.
Where does who stand and who demands what: The opinion research institute "Cluster17" conducted a representative study on this. The 30 questions in the study also addressed the burning issues: Immigration, the European Union, the Euro, social justice, Christian values and the separation of church and state, as the Italian daily newspaper "Cluster17" reports. "Il Fatto Quotidiano" reports.
Result of the study: Italy is divided into 16 political positions - from extreme left to extreme right. The different ideas before the elections in Italy (more on the programmes of the parties can be found here):
The Progressive Radicals
The determined battalion of the cultural left
social and anti-capitalist, often disappointed or even concerned about current Italian politics. This group is often radically progressive on all social issues: pro-migration, pro-LGBTQ equality, very feminist and pro-environment.
| In the election they vote for: | Partito Democartico (PD) or Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S)without being completely convinced by the offer |
| share of the population: | 6 percent |
The Social Democrats
Italy's educated elite, often with university degrees
Very progressive on social issues, but moderate at the same time. Social democrats value pragmatism and competence on all other issues. They are concerned about the rise of populism and authoritarianism. The group feels connected to parliamentary democracy and the EU.
| In the election they vote for: | the moderate parties of the left and centre |
| share of the population: | 7 percent |
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Social Christians
Tolerant Christians with money
People in this group value solidarity and mutual respect. They share many values with the moderate left: solidarity with migrants, respect for individual rights, support for the poor, pro-EU and pro-parliamentarism.
| In the election they vote for: | Centre-Left |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
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The anti-system
Young, disillusioned and not very religious
This group often lives in the centre or south of the country, comes from the middle and working classes. For them, the tension is not between left and right, but between the people and "those up there". People from the "anti-system" do not usually go to the polls in Italy.
| In the election they vote for: | no one, because they don't go. If they do, then for M5S or a small part for the left. |
| share of the population: | 7 percent |
The moderates
Catholic Liberals
The people of this grouping live mainly in the centre and south of Italy. They are often craftsmen, shopkeepers, businessmen or professional employees. They are pro-European, Catholic, liberal and anti-tax. Politically, no offer fully corresponds to them.
| In the election they vote for: | the moderate centre, the moderate left or right, no party offer fully corresponds to them |
| share of the population: | 8 percent |
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The southerners
Religious workers on the verge of retirement
This group lives mainly in the South. Their value system is characterised by social Catholicism: they stand on the side of the weakest, demand social redistribution, also between North and South. The group distrusts the political elite and the EU, prefers a presidential system.
| In the election they vote for: | M5S, sometimes also PD or Forza Italia |
| share of the population: | 6 percent |
The National Populars
The Young Without Faith: Against the Euro and Migration
This group includes mainly young workers, white-collar workers and welfare recipients, most of whom live in urban areas. People value workers' rights, but reject the system. They are for presidential rule, against the euro and against migration. But when there are elections in Italy, they only go sometimes.
| In the election they vote for: | often do not vote, but if they do: M5S or Fratelli d'Italia (FdI) |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
Pro-Business
Young people from the business world with values
This group includes students, young entrepreneurs or employees. They reject too much bureaucracy and state. The group prefers a presidential system. Until now, they mostly voted for Forza Italia in Italian elections, but not any more.
| In the election they vote for: | Until now always for "Forza Italia", now rather centre-left and centre-right |
| share of the population: | 7 percent |
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The quality people
No opinion and no qualification
This group is often young and usually has only low professional qualifications. They belong to the working class and lower middle class. They have no opinion on the economy and politics, but are rather hostile towards foreigners and refugees.
| In the election they vote for: | often don't vote when M5S or the right-wingers do |
| share of the population: | 11 percent |
Moderate Conservatives
Against welfare, foreigners and homosexuality
The people in this group are generally devout, usually middle-aged, with at most a medium level of education. They are against immigration, the "trivialisation" of homosexuality and propagate the Christian family as a model of life. They reject social welfare payments.
| In the election they vote for: | FdI |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
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The Anti-Welfare People
The economic elite of the North
This group is not only devout, they also go to church more often than average. On social issues, they are against state aid and reject economic restrictions of all kinds. Politically, their preferences are clearly to the right, but they are also receptive to the discourses of "Azione" and "Italia Viva".
| In the election they vote for: | On the right, possibly also for "Azione" and "Italia Viva |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
The traditionalists
Religious, wealthy and national
The group mostly lives in the north. For them, Italy's identity is Christian. They are against change, pro-EU and liberal in the economy. They care about political and economic stability in Italy. After voting for the League in large numbers in 2018, they seem to be leaning towards FdI this year. 5% of the population
| In the election they vote for: | previously "Lega", now rather FdI |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
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The Eurosceptics
Female, homophobic and xenophobic
The educational level of this group is low. It is massively against adoption by homosexuals, and also against the presence of foreigners in the country. 94 percent of this group is also against the EU.
| In the election they vote for: | "Italexit", but also Lega and FdI |
| share of the population: | 7 percent |
The North Right
Unbelieving and radical against foreigners
The majority of people in this group live in the north with modest incomes. This group is not religious. The "North Right" massively rejects migrants, demands authority and order. Otherwise, "North Right" has no other demands.
| In the election they vote for: | formerly "Lega", now rather FdI |
| share of the population: | 6 percent |
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The authorities
Introduction of the death penalty
Elections in Italy. This group includes a relatively large number of women, most of them over 50, from the middle class in the north or centre of Italy. Many work as white-collar workers, small entrepreneurs or craftswomen. They are against migration, against the EU, against social aid and for the taxation of the richest and for the introduction of the death penalty.
| In the election they vote for: | formerly "Lega", now rather FdI |
| share of the population: | 5 percent |
The Identitarians
Older men with little education and high income
One of the most religiously active and conservative groups in Italy. The Identitarians do not want any foreigners in Italy at all. According to their conviction, Italy's identity can only be Christian. However, they are not anti-system: they like order and stability.
| In the election they vote for: | "Lega" and FdI |
| share of the population: | 6 percent |
Due to rounding, the total sum of respondents is 101 percent.
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written by Pietro Perroni, first published on 21 September 2022
Cover image/symbol image - Collage: Photos free via canva.com
