Changes of shirt in Parliament, Forza Italia beats all: 12 purchases in the legislature. Lega loses 5 MPs, M5s gives up 6

More than three and a half years after the start of the legislature, Forza Italia has grown by 12 MPs between the Chamber and the Senate, while the Five Star Movement has lost 6. The League (-5), Action (-4), Alleanza Verdi Sinistra (-3), Partito Democratico (-2) and Fratelli d'Italia (-1) have also lost seats, while Noi Moderati and Italia viva each have one more MP. These are the figures that emerge from an elaboration carried out by YouTrend.

The latest change was made official today: Marianna Madia informed the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies that she had left the PD parliamentary group to join the Italia viva group. This is 'an important political fact. Because of her history Madia can help build a solid reformist House,' commented Matteo Renzi, leader of Iv. On 30 April, however, it was MP Roberto Traversi who left the M5s parliamentary group and joined the mixed parliamentary group.

In the 19th parliamentary term (which began in October 2022), the phenomenon of changes of parliamentary groups was relatively contained compared to the past, partly because after the cutting of MPs (from 630 to 400 MPs and from 315 to 200 elected senators) that came into force from this parliamentary term, physiologically the number was reduced. Following this reduction, the regulations were then tightened to prevent the proliferation of 'transformist' (anti-transfusion) groups not directly linked to the popular vote. The XVIII legislature (2018-2022) for example had been characterised by a very high rate of casket changes, with 299 parliamentarians (85 senators and 214 deputies) changing groups between 2018 and August 2022, amounting to about a third of the total. The phenomenon mainly affected the 5 Star Movement, with numerous expulsions and transitions.