Introduction
The results of the European Parliament (EP) elections held in June 2024 present a pivotal shift in the trajectory of European and Italian politics. Beyond confirming long-standing trends of electoral volatility, institutional distrust, and the erosion of centrist political forces, these elections introduce significant novelties in terms of party realignment, the territorial distribution of support, and the configuration of the party system. In Italy, the outcome is particularly revealing: while mirroring continental trends such as the strengthening of sovereigntist and populist parties, the Italian case displays distinctive features linked to its historical electoral cleavages, socio-economic disparities, and patterns of abstention. These elements not only redefine the balance among competing political forces but also challenge consolidated interpretative paradigms in the study of European integration and democratic participation.
The purpose of this study is twofold. Fir...



