Azione

EU RANK: 98 (Tier 3: Moderate Performance)

Azione is a centrist, liberal‑reformist party that presents itself as a pro‑European, fiscally prudent and technocratic alternative to both the right‑wing government and the traditional centre‑left. In the 2022 general election it ran in a joint list with Italia Viva, winning 7.8% of the vote; in the 2024 European Parliament election it failed to reach the 4% threshold and lost representation at EU level. Led by Carlo Calenda, Azione positions itself as a “third pole” advocating institutional reforms, pro‑business policies and pragmatic governance distinct from both populist and traditional party camps.​​

Disinformation and alternative media

Azione’s communication strategy is centred on its leader’s visibility in mainstream talk shows, opinion pages and social media rather than on a dedicated network of partisan alternative outlets. Calenda and other figures rely on high‑profile television appearances and opinion journalism to push policy‑heavy messages, occasionally using sharp rhetoric against opponents but generally operating within the conventional media ecosystem. Analyses of Italian disinformation and fringe media place little emphasis on Azione as a source of conspiratorial or systematically misleading narratives; instead, the party is more often framed as a critic of populist slogans and simplistic claims from both left and right.

Azione uses social platforms for targeted advertising and campaign communication, but there is no evidence of a centralised operation comparable to Lega’s “La Bestia” or to extremist content farms. Available research and regulatory actions do not identify Azione as a driver of coordinated inauthentic behaviour, bot networks or other organised disinformation campaigns aimed at manipulating Italy’s information space.

Foreign influence and external alignments

Firmly pro‑EU and Atlanticist, Azione supports deeper European integration, adherence to EU fiscal rules with reform‑minded flexibility, and a strong Western alignment on security and defence. Its leadership has backed sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and advocates robust support for Kyiv, situating the party within the mainstream liberal‑centrist camp of European politics. At the European level, Azione has sought alliances with liberal and reformist forces that emphasise rule of law, economic modernisation and institutional stability rather than geopolitical realignment.​​

Public analyses of foreign influence in Italy focus predominantly on radical‑right and Eurosceptic actors, leaving Azione largely outside discussions of problematic external alignments. There is no evidence of structured relationships with authoritarian regimes or state‑aligned foreign media that would grant such actors leverage over Azione’s positions or communication strategies.​

Media capture, advertising and public service media

Azione does not control major media assets and lacks the kind of structural broadcast empire associated with Forza Italia or the appointment leverage currently held by Fratelli d’Italia over RAI. Its strength lies in access to quality press, opinion columns and panel shows, which provide visibility to its technocratic profile without implying ownership or systemic influence over editorial lines. The party has criticised both historical lottizzazione at RAI and recent accusations of increased government interference, calling for reforms that insulate public‑service media from partisan control and improve transparency in appointments.

In terms of advertising and state resources, Azione’s smaller size and opposition status mean it is not a central actor in Italy’s clientelistic advertising patterns. Its programme favours clearer rules on public advertising, stronger independence for regulatory bodies and safeguards against political capture of media, positioning it closer to a rule‑of‑law and transparency agenda than to any project of media domination.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

Azione itself has not been at the centre of major corruption scandals in the 2015–2025 period. The most prominent judicial case involving personalities associated with its broader centrist orbit was the Open Foundation investigation related to financing of Matteo Renzi‑era political activity, which concluded in December 2024 with the dismissal of charges against Renzi and other defendants at the preliminary hearing stage. While that case raised broader questions about the use of foundations in political fundraising, the court’s decision removed the immediate criminal risk for the individuals concerned and did not translate into a conviction for Azione as a party.​

More broadly, Azione operates in a system still marked by complex party‑finance rules and legacy patronage structures, but available evidence does not link it to large‑scale misuse of public funds or entrenched corruption networks. Its funding relies on “2×1000” public subsidies (over €1.28 million in 2024 declarations) and private donations, with 2023 accounts reporting about €542,000 in voluntary contributions from individuals, companies and foundations under Italy’s disclosure rules. This mix exposes the party to the same transparency challenges as others but has not generated significant litigation or sanctions.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of critical media

Azione’s public rhetoric is broadly supportive of media freedom, with frequent criticisms of both past and present attempts by governing parties to instrumentalise RAI or to use public advertising in partisan ways. Calenda has been an outspoken critic of what he describes as “media populism” and has argued for stronger protections for independent journalism and regulatory enforcement against political interference. Press‑freedom assessments of Italy do not single out Azione as a source of harassment or legal pressure on journalists, focusing instead on the actions of larger governing parties and legacy media empires.

The party’s confrontational tone in political debate sometimes generates sharp exchanges with commentators, but there is no documented pattern of strategic defamation suits, administrative pressure or advertising boycotts against critical outlets attributable to Azione. In parliamentary and public discussions, it tends to align with proposals that would strengthen safeguards for journalists and improve transparency around both political funding and media governance.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	Low	Relies on mainstream talk shows, opinion journalism and standard digital campaigning; not linked to a structured ecosystem of conspiratorial or systematically misleading alternative media.
Foreign influence & external alignments	Low	Pro‑EU, pro‑NATO liberal‑reformist party aligned with mainstream European centrists; no evidence of structured ties to authoritarian regimes or foreign state‑aligned media.
Media‑capture & advertising / PSB control	Low–Medium	Lacks structural media ownership and appointment power; critiques politicisation of RAI and calls for transparency, though it operates within Italy’s generally politicised media environment.
Corruption & institutional‑integrity risk	Low–Medium	Not central to major corruption scandals; exposed to system‑wide vulnerabilities around foundations and donations, but key related investigations ended in acquittals or dismissals.
Press‑freedom & harassment of media	Low	Publicly supports independent journalism and criticises media capture; no evidence of systematic legal or economic pressure on critical outlets.