Scholarly record

GYPSIES, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, TERRORISTS AND GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS: INVESTIGATION ON THE В‘SECURITY POLICIESВ’ OF THE MAIN ITALIAN PARTIES THROUGH THE PRESS (2008-2013)

Francesco Bacciottini

Abstract

This paper is a brief synopsis of a work regarding the security policy in Italy between 2008 and 2013. Trough the analysis of the main national press of different political orientation, the paper aims to investigate the shift in priority of Italian parties in front of new threats and the effects this shift had on Italian policy. With the results of 2008 election, right-wing People of Freedom (PdL) and left-wing Democratic party (PD) centered their agenda on physical security. The zero-tolerance policy of Berlusconi's Government permitted the 'sindaci sceriffo' (Mayors sheriff) system, launched city patrols and converted illegal immigration in crime. Thus, 2008 and 2010 were called securitarian biennium due to the militarization of urban space. During this period even left-wing joined securitarian politics for its political appeal. Later the Greek depression threat had heavy effects on Italian system. While EU started to play an intrusive role in national policy, the business community and left-wing put pressure on Government to solve financial crisis. This joint action represented the basis of new political balances built by PD. The state of emergency resulting from the action of the different actors opened the way to Monti's technocratic Government.

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