La classe politique italienne et le couple franco-allemand

Résumé En

During the early 1960s Italy experienced a dramatic social change owing to a quick economic development. In that same period the left wing of the Christian Democracy aimed at creating a new political formula, the «Centre-Left», through a dialogue with the Socialist Party. Rome’s foreign policy was deeply influenced by those internal developments, as well as by the personality ofAmintore Fanfani, then President of the Council. In the European context the Fanfani government favoured both close political integration and Britain’s adhesion to the Common Market. When in 1962 the Fouchet Plan failed, Italy focussed her attention on the project for the enlargement of the Common Market. Such a goal was regarded by the Fanfani government as a way to counter the creation of French-German axis which would have dominated Europe. The Rome government’s policy was also shaped by internal concerns, as the supporters of the «Centre-Left» considered both de Gaulle and Adenauer as the representatives of conservative political forces which were assumed as models by those who in Italy opposed the dialogue between the Christian Democrats and the Socialists. Furthermore such a position would please the Kennedy administration whose support to the «Centre-Left» experiment was of a paramount importance for its success. The article deals with Italian reactions to the French-German rapprochement and analyses some Italian initiatives such as the one pursued by La Malfa who, in connection with the signature of the Elysée Treaty, advocated the creation of an Anglo-Italian axis. In fact the Fanfani government’s attitude was more cautious and, though the Prime Minister, in particular in his contacts with the US and British authorities, stressed both Italy’s allegiance to the goal of London’s adhesion to the Common Market and Rome’s dislike of a French-German axis, the Italian authorities did not dare to challenge openly de Gaulle and Adenauer as they feared that such a choice would threaten the Common Market, whose economic consequences were too relevant for Italy’s economic interests.