Italian Election 2018: Cultural Policies Across Party Platforms

An analysis of Italian political party programs for the 2018 elections reveals a lack of substantial cultural policy differentiation. The Movimento 5 Stelle, PD, and Lega di Salvini dedicate the most space to culture, but proposals are largely conservative. Movimento 5 Stelle suggests creating cultural districts, increasing public spending to 1%, and reforming Art Bonus and FUS. PD focuses on cultural regeneration of suburbs, seismic safety, and a digital plan for culture. Lega di Salvini proposes transforming MiBACT into the Ministry of Treasury of Cultural Heritage, introducing real managers in museums, and tax breaks for art. However, the center-right coalition's unified program only vaguely mentions 'development and promotion of culture and tourism'. Other parties like Partito Repubblicano, Forza Nuova, Partito Comunista, and Liberi e Uguali offer limited or generic cultural proposals. The author expresses disappointment, predicting stagnation or regression for Italian cultural policy in the next five years.