Italy: A Newcomer with a Positive Attitude

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Abstract
This paper examines the development of Italian asylum policy, especially in the light of major changes in Italian politics and Italy's shift from being a country of emigration to a country of immigration. The last general elections in 1996 were won, for the first time, by a coalition of centre-left oriented parties (Ulivo). An analysis of the asylum policies of previous and current Governments is developed. Refugee-related issues moved up the political agenda in the 1990s, especially after mass influxes of displaced people from eastern countries and from the Middle East. The programmes of the two main party coalitions that ran for the 1996 elections are scrutinized as well as the actions of the coalitions that formed governments. Policy at both national and European Union level is analysed. Currently there is a new bill of law in place through which Ulivo is trying to enforce the constitutional rule on asylum and broaden awareness of the importance of European Union policy on asylum. This marks a turning point in Italian policy on asylum, but nevertheless a complete and deep understanding of the issue as well as a clear policy have not yet been developed in Italy.

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