Forza Italia

Forza Italia
AbbreviationFI
PresidentSilvio Berlusconi
Vice President
FounderSilvio Berlusconi
Founded18 January 1994
Dissolved27 March 2009
Merged intoThe People of Freedom
HeadquartersVia dell'Umiltà 36, Rome
Student wingStudents for the Freedoms
Youth wingForza Italia – Young People for Freedom
Membership (2007)400,000
Ideology
Political positionCentre-right
National affiliation
European affiliationEuropean People's Party (1999–2009)
European Parliament group
Colours  Azure
Anthem"Forza Italia"

Forza Italia (FI; lit.'Forward Italy' or 'Come on Italy' or 'Let's Go Italy') was a centre-right liberal-conservative political party in Italy, with Christian democratic, liberal (especially economic liberalism), social democratic and populist tendencies. It was founded by Silvio Berlusconi, who served as Prime Minister of Italy four times.

The party was founded in December 1993 and won its first general election soon afterwards in March 1994. It was the main member of the Pole of Freedoms/Pole of Good Government, Pole for Freedoms and House of Freedoms coalitions. Throughout its existence, the party was characterised by a strong reliance on the personal image and charisma of its leader (it has been called a "personality party" or Berlusconi's "personal party"), and the skillful use of media campaigns, especially via television. The party's organisation and ideology depended heavily on its leader, so much so that its appeal to voters was based on Berlusconi's personality more than on its ideology or programme.

In November 2008, the national council of the party, presided by Alfredo Biondi, voted to merge Forza Italia into The People of Freedom (PdL), Berlusconi's new political vehicle, whose official foundation took place in March 2009. A new Forza Italia was established by Berlusconi as PdL's legal successor in 2013.