I parlamentari di Forza Italia: un gruppo a sostegno di una leadership?

This article analyses the composition of the parliamentary group of Forza Italia in both branches of the Italian parliament comparing the 1994, 1996, and 2001 data. By so doing it attmpts to contribute to a better knowledge of "Forza Italia", the party founded by Silvio Berlusconi. After describing the social and political characteristics of the parliamentarian élite, the criteria utilized for the recruitment of the parlamentarians and their places of origin, the article analyses the nature of FI and the changes the new party brought into the Italian political system. In the end, it raises the question of its suitability to support its leader in order not to repeat the failur of 1994 and questions wheter FI will be able to lead the Italian transition to completion within the mould of a majoritarian democracy.