The PD’s leadership election might signal the first step in the re-legitimation of the Italian political system

The centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) suffered a disappointing result in this year’s Italian elections. After the resignation of party secretary Pier Luigi Bersani, a new leader is due to be elected in December. Arianna Giovannini and James L. Newell assess the significance of the leadership contest, which the Mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, is favourite to win. They argue that leadership contests of this nature have far more potential to engage citizens in Italy than they do in countries such as the UK.