What Will Be Different About Italy’s Snap Elections

Barring any surprises, Italy is on track to have its first far-right prime minister, following the collapse of Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government. Elections are scheduled for Sunday -- the first to be held since constitutional changes were adopted that shrank the size of the two parliamentary chambers. It also comes as the euro area’s third-largest economy -- and one of its most indebted -- is contending with the fallout of soaring energy prices, rising interest rates and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A right-wing alliance led by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy, which also includes Matteo Salvini’s League party and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, which brought down Draghi’s government. If the bloc wins, Meloni could become Italy’s first female prime minister. Former Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s Democratic Party is running with smaller center and left-wing allies, while the anti-establishment Five Star movement is running solo. A centrist coalition of former Democrats is also present.