Action (Italian political party)

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox political party | colorcode = {{Political party data|color}} | name = Action | native_name = Azione | logo = Azione - logo (Italy, 2021-).svg | leader1_title = Secretary | leader1_name = Carlo Calenda | leader2_title = President | leader2_name = Elena Bonetti | leader3_title = | leader3_name = | foundation = {{start date and age|2019|11|21|df=y}} | split = Democratic Party | headquarters = Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 21, Rome | membership = 30,000<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Adnkronos |url=https://www.adnkronos.com/calenda-renzi-ha-come-interlocutori-solo-obama-bezos-e-dio_64qEJjhkchvQ8ktNx70wVq?refresh_ce |title=Dati iscritti al Congresso di febbraio 2022 |work=Adnkronos |date=5 February 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109160304/https://www.adnkronos.com/calenda-renzi-ha-come-interlocutori-solo-obama-bezos-e-dio_64qEJjhkchvQ8ktNx70wVq?refresh_ce |url-status=live }}</ref> | membership_year = 2022 | ideology = Liberalism (Italian) | position = {{nowrap|Centre<ref name="IlPost">{{cite news |title=Questo partito di Carlo Calenda |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2020/09/12/azione-partito-carlo-calenda/ |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=Il Post |date=12 September 2020 |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sun-sand-vote-italy-sweat-summer-election-campaign/ | title=Sun, sand and votes: Italy sweats over summer election campaign | date=10 August 2022 }}</ref>}} | national = {{ublist|class = nowrap | Action–More Europe {{small|(2021–2022)}} | Action–Italia Viva {{small|(2022–2023)}} }} | affiliation1_title = Parliamentary affiliation | affiliation1 = | european = European Democratic Party {{small|(2023)}}<br />ALDE Party {{small|(since 2023)}} | europarl = Socialists and Democrats {{small|(2019–2021)}}<br />Renew Europe {{small|(2021–2024; 2026–present)}} | colours = {{color box|{{Political party data|color}}|border=silver}} Blue {{color box|#03B803|border=silver}} Green | seats1_title = Chamber of Deputies | seats1 = {{Composition bar|10|400|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | seats2_title = Senate | seats2 = {{Composition bar|2|205|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | seats3_title = European Parliament | seats3 = {{Composition bar|1|76|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | seats4_title = Regional Councils | seats4 = {{Composition bar|10|896|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | website = {{Political party data|website}} | country = Italy }}

'''Action''' ({{langx|it|Azione}}, abbr. '''A''' or '''Az''') is a liberal<ref name="FT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f21cf708-759e-11ea-ad98-044200cb277f|title=Coronavirus: Is Europe losing Italy?|newspaper=Financial Times|date=6 April 2020|last1=Johnson|first1=Miles}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://europeelects.eu/italy | title=Italy |access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/democracy/153072|title=Is Rome mayor election death-knell for 5-Star Movement?|date=October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/23/wild-boar-streets-rome-used-against-me-mayor-virginia-raggi|title=Wild boar on streets of Rome are being used against me, says mayor|website=TheGuardian.com|date=23 September 2021}}</ref> political party in Italy. Its founder and leader is Carlo Calenda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2019/09/05/calenda-lancia-nuovo-movimento-politico_d9185fee-cfbe-4117-9a3a-e6e58cce3159.html|title=Calenda lancia nuovo movimento politico – Politica|date=5 September 2019|website=Agenzia ANSA}}</ref>

Originally launched as '''We Are Europeans''' ({{lang|it|Siamo Europei}}, '''SE'''), it adopted its current name in November 2019 upon becoming a fully-fledged party. Calenda has described his party as "anti-populist" and "anti-souverainist".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Carlo-Calenda-lancia-Azione-contro-populisti-e-sovranisti-97cd3f0f-5f68-4e30-aa39-59202e7e7577.html|title=Carlo Calenda lancia Azione contro populisti e sovranisti|website=rainews|date=21 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2019/11/21/calenda-lancia-azione-contro-populisti_b8628c93-c497-4e33-8deb-02eb03801cc5.html|title=Calenda lancia Azione, contro i populisti – Politica|date=21 November 2019|website=Agenzia ANSA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/19_novembre_22/calenda-si-mette-azione-ecco-nostro-fronte-anti-populista-d27179f2-0cf7-11ea-a4ca-70fa95996bd0.shtml|title=Calenda presenta Azione, il suo nuovo partito: "Ecco il nostro fronte anti-populista"|first=Redazione|last=politica|date=22 November 2019|website=Corriere della Sera}}</ref> He also explained that the party's name is a historical reference to the short-lived post-World War II Action Party and an allusion to Carlo Rosselli's "liberal socialism".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1433754365211332609|user=CarloCalenda|title=.@azione_it non si chiama così per una scelta di marketing ma per un riferimento storico preciso: il Partito d'Azio...|date=3 September 2021}}</ref> According to Calenda, the party is home to "pure liberals, but also liberal progressives [<nowiki/>social liberals, like Calenda] and democratic Catholics [<nowiki/>Christian democrats]".<ref name="RaiNews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2022/02/calenda-proclamato-segretario-di-azione-al-prossimo-congresso-una-donna-mi-cacci-f063f1c5-3510-45b8-8431-9094d41a5be5.html|title=Calenda proclamato segretario di Azione: "Al prossimo congresso una donna mi cacci"|date=20 February 2022 }}</ref>

Action was briefly a member of the European Democratic Party<ref>{{cite web | url=https://democrats.eu/en/the-european-democratic-party/#membres | title=European Democratic Party | date=24 June 2022 }}</ref> and joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PRESS RELEASE – ALDE Party Council: two new Italian members, lead candidate process, new Secretary General |url=https://www.aldeparty.eu/press_release_alde_council_bucharest |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=ALDE Party |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214195110/https://www.aldeparty.eu/press_release_alde_council_bucharest |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Parties Country |url=https://www.aldeparty.eu/member-parties/italy}}</ref> In the European Parliament Action's MEPs sat in the Socialists and Democrats group and, later, the liberal Renew Europe group. In the European Committee of the Regions, they sit with the Renew Europe CoR Group.

==History==

===Background=== In the 2013 general election Calenda, who had been active within Luca Cordero di Montezemolo's Future Italy, was an unsuccessful candidate for the centrist Civic Choice (SC) party. He later served in various capacities (deputy minister, ambassador and minister) in the three governments of the 2013–2018 legislative term. In the aftermath of the 2018 general election, he officially joined the centre-left Democratic Party (PD).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/calenda-prende-tessera-pd-abbiamo-sensazione-essere-elite-AE0dU5BE|title=Calenda prende la tessera del Pd: "Abbiamo dato sensazione di essere élite"|website=Il Sole 24 ORE|date=6 March 2018}}</ref>

===We Are Europeans=== In January 2019, Calenda launched a political manifesto named '''We Are Europeans''' ({{lang|it|Siamo Europei}}), with the aim of creating a joint list composed of the PD and other progressive and pro-Europeanist parties for the upcoming European Parliament election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2019/01/18/carlo-calenda-lancia-manifesto-aderiscono-martina-governatori-e-sindaci-dem_a_23646369/|title=Calenda lancia Manifesto "Siamo Europei", Aderiscono Martina e Gentiloni, diversi governatori e sindaci dem|date=18 January 2019|website=L'HuffPost}}</ref> His proposal was welcomed by Nicola Zingaretti, then leader of the PD, but rejected by other parties within the centre-left coalition, including More Europe (+E) and Italia in Comune.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2019/03/12/elezioni-europee-2019-pd-e-piueuropa-correranno-separati-zingaretti-faremo-due-liste-aperte-alla-societa-civile/5032060/|title=Elezioni europee 2019, Pd e PiùEuropa correranno separati. Zingaretti: "Faremo due liste aperte alla società civile"|date=12 March 2019|website=Il Fatto Quotidiano}}</ref> In the run-up to the election, Zingaretti and Calenda presented a logo for their joint electoral list including a reference to We Are Europeans and the symbol of the Party of European Socialists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2019/03/30/simbolo-di-unita-nicola-zingaretti-e-carlo-calenda-svelano-il-logo-della-lista-pd-siamoeuropei-per-vincere-le-elezioni_a_23702910/|title=Simbolo di unità. Nicola Zingaretti svela il logo Pd-SiamoEuropei|date=30 March 2019|website=L'HuffPost}}</ref> Additionally, they also joined with Article One, a left-wing party established in 2017 by splinters from the PD, led by former PD secretary Pier Luigi Bersani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/2019/03/29/il-simbolo-c-e-l-intesa-con-mdp-quasi_a_23702654/|title=Il simbolo c'è, l'intesa con Mdp quasi (di R. F. Calvo)|date=29 March 2019|website=L'HuffPost}}</ref> The PD–SE joint list gained 22.7% of the vote, coming second after the League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni-2019/notizie/elezioni-europee-2019-tutti-risultati-lega-primo-partito-pd-supera-5-stelle-tutti-risultati-diretta-6305c7d8-8040-11e9-8142-a1f29f3c9bf7.shtml|title=Europee: chi ha vinto, chi ha perso e cosa succederà al governo italiano|first=Redazione|last=Online|date=27 May 2019|website=Corriere della Sera}}</ref> Calenda, who ran in the North-East constituency, received more than 270,000 votes, thus becoming the most voted candidate of the list,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/05/27/news/dalla_lega_al_pd_i_candidati_acchiappavoti_pisapia_campione_di_preferenze-227304273/|title=Europee, i candidati acchiappavoti. Calenda e Pisapia campioni di preferenze. Alla Lega 29 seggi, al Pd 19|date=27 May 2019|website=Repubblica.it}}</ref> and joined the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group.

In August 2019, tensions grew within the coalition supporting the first government of Giuseppe Conte, leading to the issuing of a motion of no-confidence by the League.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/world/europe/italy-pm-giuseppe-conte-resign.html|title=Italy's Government Collapses, Turning Chaos Into Crisis|first=Jason|last=Horowitz|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 August 2019}}</ref> During the following government crisis, the PD national board officially endorsed the possibility of forming a new cabinet in a coalition with the Five Star Movement (M5S),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/20/italian-pm-expected-resign-giuseppe-conte|title=Italian PM resigns with attack on 'opportunist' Salvini|first=Angela|last=Giuffrida|newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 August 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> based on pro-Europeanism, green economy, sustainable development, fight against economic inequality and a new immigration policy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/08/21/news/governo_il_testo_integrale_della_relazione_di_zingaretti_alla_direzione_pd-234041294/|title=Governo, Zingaretti: "I 5 punti per trattare con il M5S. No accordicchi, governo di svolta"|date=21 August 2019|website=Repubblica.it}}</ref> The party also agreed to keep Conte as the head of the new government,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/conte-wins-crucial-support-for-new-italian-govt-coalition/2019/08/28/a85203c4-c99c-11e9-9615-8f1a32962e04_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828200930/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/conte-wins-crucial-support-for-new-italian-govt-coalition/2019/08/28/a85203c4-c99c-11e9-9615-8f1a32962e04_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2019|title=Conte wins crucial support for new Italian govt coalition|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> and on 29 August, President Sergio Mattarella re-appointed Conte as Prime Minister, this time at the head of a centre-left coalition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Il Presidente Mattarella ha conferito l'incarico al Prof. Conte di formare il Governo |url=https://www.quirinale.it/elementi/35484 |website=Quirinale |access-date=29 August 2019 |language=it}}</ref> Calenda strongly opposed the new government, stating that the PD had renounced any representation of the "reformists",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/roma/nasce-partito-calenda-sar-movimento-aperto-tutti-1748810.html|title=Nasce il partito di Calenda: "Sarà un movimento aperto a tutti"|first=Roberto|last=Bordi|website=ilGiornale.it|date=5 September 2019}}</ref> and that therefore it became necessary to establish a "liberal-progressive" movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dire.it/05-09-2019/364661-calenda-lancia-il-suo-movimento-liberal-progressista-tesseramento-al-via-da-dicembre/|title=Calenda lancia il suo "movimento liberal-progressista": "Tesseramento al via da dicembre"|date=5 September 2019}}</ref> Calenda left the PD and on 5 September 2019, while Conte's second government was sworn in, announced the transformation of SE into a full-fledged party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.it/politica/calenda-scissione-pd.html|title=Calenda anticipa Renzi e apre la scissione nel Pd: "Nuovo movimento liberal-progressista"|website=Today}}</ref>

On 10 September 2019, Matteo Richetti, a prominent PD senator with a Catholic political upbringing<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.modenatoday.it/politica/matteo-richetti-lascia-pd-contributi-2019.html|title = Matteo Richetti lascia il Pd. Scatta una battaglia legale per i contributi non versati al partito}}</ref> and a close associate of former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, abstained in the vote of confidence on the new government, and subsequently exited the party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/politica/notizia_3231102201902a.shtml|title=Richetti verso l'addio al Pd, il senatore andrà nel Gruppo Misto|website=Tgcom24}}</ref> He stated that he would join forces with Calenda.<ref>{{cite news |title=Richetti dice No al governo, lascia il Pd e guarda a Calenda |url=https://www.globalist.it/politics/2019/09/10/richetti-dice-no-al-governo-lascia-il-pd-e-guarda-a-calenda-2046198.html |access-date=12 September 2019 |agency=Globalist |date=10 September 2019 |language=it}}</ref>

===Road to the new party=== [[File:XXVII Pontignano Conference day 3 (48824973117) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|180px|Carlo Calenda in 2019]] In November 2019, SE was officially transformed into a new party named '''Action''' ({{lang|it|Azione}}),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/11/21/news/carlo_caenda_fonda_azione_e_sta_nel_centosinistra_pd_e_renziani_riformisti_rammolliti_-241562656|title=Carlo Calenda fonda Azione e punta al 10 per cento: "Pd e renziani riformisti rammolliti. Errore fare il governo"|date=21 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalist.it/politics/2019/09/05/calenda-lascia-il-pd-e-fonda-il-suo-movimento-serve-una-casa-riformista-2045971.html|title=Calenda lascia il Pd e fonda il suo Movimento: "Serve una casa riformista"|website=Globalist|date=5 September 2019}}</ref> which was organised also at the local level through the so-called "Action Groups" ({{lang|it|Gruppi d'Azione}}).<ref>[https://www.azione.it/gruppi Azione – Gruppi d'Azione] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128195026/https://www.azione.it/gruppi |date=28 January 2022 }}, ''azione.it''</ref> Calenda explained Action's "reformist" nature, while Richetti that "Action would not be a centrist party, but the true progressive pole of the country".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fanpage.it/politica/matteo-richetti-azione-non-sara-un-partito-di-centro-ma-il-vero-polo-progressista-del-paese|title=Matteo Richetti: "Azione non sarà un partito di centro, ma il vero polo progressista del Paese"|date=18 November 2019 }}</ref> Early donors of the party included Alberto Bombassei and Luciano Cimmino,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://espresso.repubblica.it/politica/2021/12/06/news/carlo_calenda_donazioni_imprese-328774461|title = Carlo Calenda da record: Pioggia di donazioni dal mondo delle imprese|newspaper = L'Espresso|date = 6 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/personaggi/24302734/carlo-calenda-azione-partito-cifre-da-capogiro.html|title=Carlo Calenda, Azione è il partito preferito: in poco tempo vanta cifre da capogiro|website=www.liberoquotidiano.it}}</ref> both former MPs elected with SC. Early members of the party included Raffaele Bonanni (former secretary-general of the Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions), Vincenzo Camporini (former Chief of the Defence Staff), Mario Raffaelli (former long-time deputy and under-secretary for the Italian Socialist Party), Walter Ricciardi (former president of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità) and Ugo Rossi (former President of Trentino).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azione.it/direzione|title = Direzione | date=11 February 2020 }}</ref>

In August 2020, two members of the Chamber of Deputies joined Action: former minister Enrico Costa, who had earlier left Forza Italia (FI)<ref>{{cite news |title=Il deputato Enrico Costa ha lasciato Forza Italia e si è unito ad Azione |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2020/08/04/enrico-costa-lascia-forza-italia-entra-azione-calenda/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |agency=Il Post |date=4 August 2020 |language=it}}</ref> and a long-time advocate of reforms of the judiciary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilriformista.it/intervista-a-enrico-costa-i-magistrati-stiano-fuori-dalla-politica-259086|title = Intervista a Enrico Costa: "I magistrati stiano fuori dalla politica"|date = 6 November 2021}}</ref> and Nunzio Angiola, university professor and former member of the M5S.<ref>[https://bari.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/08/05/news/nunzio_angiola_dopo_m5s_passa_con_calenda_e_il_secondo_parlamentare_di_azione-263830361 Nunzio Angiola archivia M5s e passa con Calenda: è il secondo parlamentare per Azione] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128223022/https://bari.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/08/05/news/nunzio_angiola_dopo_m5s_passa_con_calenda_e_il_secondo_parlamentare_di_azione-263830361 |date=28 January 2022 }}, ''la Repubblica''</ref>

In November 2020, deputies and senators affiliated with Action formed joint sub-groups in the Mixed Groups together with +E both in the Chamber and in the Senate. The sub-group in the Chamber counted four deputies, the one in the Senate three senators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2020/11/17/nasce-gruppo-parlamentare-comune-piu-europa-azione_e5f8298d-df8e-4a17-a94f-9e4ba50419dd.html|title=Nasce gruppo parlamentare comune Più Europa-Azione – Ultima Ora|date=17 November 2020|website=Agenzia ANSA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2020/11/18/news/azione-e-piu-europa-centro-di-questi-giorni-1445634/|title=Azione e Più Europa, centro di questi giorni|website=www.ilfoglio.it}}</ref>

In March 2021, Carlo Cottarelli, a former director of the International Monetary Fund, was chosen by A, +E, the Italian Republican Party (PRI), the Liberal Democratic Alliance for Italy (ALI) and The Liberals to head of a scientific committee designed to elaborate of a joint political program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2021/03/10/news/calenda-bonino-e-cottarelli-la-politica-non-finisce-con-draghi-1.40008820|title = Calenda, Bonino e Cottarelli: "La politica non finisce con Draghi"|date = 10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkiesta.it/2021/03/comitato-scientifico-carlo-cottarelli-liberaldemocratici-programma-italia-bonino-calenda|title = Programma per l'Italia {{pipe}} Cosa farà il comitato di Cottarelli che mette insieme (Quasi) tutti i partiti liberaldemocratici|date = 11 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://piueuropa.eu/2021/03/09/le-forze-libdem-insieme-per-il-programma-per-litalia-il-comitato-presieduto-da-cottarelli|title = Le forze Libdem insieme per il "Programma per l'Italia": Il comitato presieduto da Cottarelli|date = 9 March 2021|access-date = 20 March 2021|archive-date = 28 January 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220128185237/https://piueuropa.eu/2021/03/09/le-forze-libdem-insieme-per-il-programma-per-litalia-il-comitato-presieduto-da-cottarelli/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

In the 2021 municipal election in Rome, Calenda came third with 19.8% of the vote and the "Calenda for Mayor" list, comprising A, +E, PRI, IV and other minor liberal and centrist groups, won 19.1% of the vote, becoming the most voted list, ahead of the PD (whose candidate, Roberto Gualtieri, had launched a parallel "Gualtieri for Mayor" list and was elected at in the run-off).

In November 2021, Calenda left the S&D group in the European Parliament, after that it was hinted that the M5S might have joined it, and switched to Renew Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/tickers/153551|title = [Ticker] Italian MEP quits S&D for liberal Renew Europe| date=18 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ansa.it/europa/notizie/europarlamento/news/2021/11/11/calenda-lascia-gli-sd-oggi-chiedero-ingresso-in-renew_3c85af9d-f1a6-423d-b231-0973192952cc.html |title=Calenda lascia gli S&D, 'oggi chiederò ingresso in Renew' |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=13 November 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408141715/https://www.ansa.it/europa/notizie/europarlamento/news/2021/11/11/calenda-lascia-gli-sd-oggi-chiedero-ingresso-in-renew_3c85af9d-f1a6-423d-b231-0973192952cc.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2022, the party formed a federation with +E.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nasce la federazione fra Azione e +Europa. Calenda: "Per il Colle Bonino è il nostro nome di riferimento".Lei: "Ora è tardi" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/01/12/news/nasce_federazione_azione_europa-333535319/ |access-date=19 January 2022 |work=la Repubblica |date=12 January 2022 |language=it}}</ref>

===Founding congress=== On 19–20 February 2022, the party held its first congress,<ref>[https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/02/19/azione-al-via-il-primo-congresso_0e340e12-c459-4f66-849e-b53d94b55b68.html Al via il primo congresso di Azione. Letta: 'insieme vinceremo al voto del 2023'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219112650/https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/02/19/azione-al-via-il-primo-congresso_0e340e12-c459-4f66-849e-b53d94b55b68.html |date=19 February 2022 }}, ''ANSA''</ref> during which Calenda was elected secretary, Richetti president, Emma Fattorini (a former senator of the PD) and Giulia Pastorella vice presidents.<ref name="RaiNews"/> The assembly welcomed several guest speakers, notably including Stéphane Séjourné of Renew Europe, Enrico Letta of the PD, Giancarlo Giorgetti of the League, Antonio Tajani of FI and Ettore Rosato of IV, as well as Benedetto Della Vedova of +E and the representatives of the other liberal parties with which Action had been cooperating.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azione.it/il_primo_congresso_di_azione|title=Il primo Congresso di Azione – l'Italia, sul serio|access-date=19 February 2022|archive-date=19 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219172920/https://www.azione.it/il_primo_congresso_di_azione|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ansa.it>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/02/19/azione-al-via-il-primo-congresso_0e340e12-c459-4f66-849e-b53d94b55b68.html|title = Al via il primo congresso di Azione. Calenda, non dialogo con M5s e FdI |website = ANSA.it |date = 19 February 2022}}</ref> Calenda explained that Action would dialogue with all main parties, except the M5S and the Brothers of Italy (FdI),<ref name=ansa.it/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2022/02/la-terza-via-di-calenda-discutiamo-con-tutti-tranne-cinquestelle-e-fratelli-ditalia-6d28719e-38af-41e2-b4f1-0962ec1bc1f6.html|title=La terza via di Calenda: "Discutiamo con tutti, tranne Cinquestelle e Fratelli d'Italia"|date=19 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/02/19/calenda-disegna-la-mappa-delle-sue-alleanze-col-pd-solo-se-non-ce-il-m5s-lega-si-al-dialogo-se-diventa-europeista/6500021/|title = Calenda disegna la mappa delle sue alleanze: "Col Pd solo se non c'è il M5s. Lega? Sì al dialogo se diventa europeista"|date = 19 February 2022}}</ref> whose leaders were not invited to participate in the congress.

A few days before the congress, Barbara Masini had switched from FI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.it/politica/barbara-masini-forza-italia-azione.html|title=La senatrice Masini lascia Forza Italia: "Il mio coming out? Ho fatto un favore al centrodestra"|website=Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.affaritaliani.it/notiziario/azione-calenda--benvenuta-a-masini-protagonista-battaglie-su-diritti-246452.html|title=dettaglio – Affaritaliani.it|website=www.affaritaliani.it}}</ref> In the coming weeks, senator Leonardo Grimani (ex-PD and ex-IV)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/02/23/leonardo-grimani-il-senatore-fuoriuscito-da-italia-viva-passa-ad-azione-la-leadership-di-carlo-calenda-e-credibile-e-autorevole/6505270|title = Leonardo Grimani, il senatore fuoriuscito da Italia Viva passa ad Azione|date = 23 February 2022}}</ref> and deputies Claudio Pedrazzini, Osvaldo Napoli and Daniela Ruffino (all three ex-FI and ex-Cambiamo!)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azione.it/benvenuto_claudio_pedrazzini|title=Benvenuto Claudio Pedrazzini|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928103005/https://www.azione.it/benvenuto_claudio_pedrazzini|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/03/17/news/calenda_forza_italia_osvaldo_napoli-341733938|title=Gli ex Forza Italia folgorati da Calenda. Passano ad Azione Osvaldo Napoli e Daniela Ruffino|date=17 March 2022}}</ref> and Giorgio Trizzino (ex-M5S)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://palermo.repubblica.it/politica/2022/04/08/news/dai_grillini_a_calenda_giorgio_trizzino_sceglie_azione-344635501 | title=Dai grillini a Calenda: Giorgio Trizzino sceglie Azione | date=8 April 2022 }}</ref> joined the party.

===2022 general election=== In July 2022, the M5S did not participate in a Senate's confidence vote on a government bill. Prime Minister Draghi offered his resignation, which was rejected by President Mattarella.<ref>{{cite news |title=Italian government on brink of collapse amid fears Mario Draghi could resign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/14/italian-coalition-faces-collapse-five-star-sits-out-confidence-vote-mario-draghi |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=14 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> After a few days, Draghi sought a confidence vote again to secure the government majority supporting his cabinet, while rejecting the proposal put forward by Lega and FI of a new government without the M5S.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/07/20/news/risoluzione_centrodestra_draghi-358531252/ | title=Perché per il premier era inaccettabile la richiesta di Lega e FI | date=20 July 2022 }}</ref> In that occasion, the M5S, Lega, FI and FdI did not participate in the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Italy's Mario Draghi expected to resign as prime minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/20/italys-mario-draghi-expected-to-resign-as-prime-minister |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=20 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Consequently, Draghi tendered his final resignation to President Mattarella, who dissolved the houses of Parliament, leading to the 2022 general election.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/800d1dc1-7d26-41d2-b5ca-3a4850e95b98 | title=Italy president calls snap elections after Draghi quits as PM | newspaper=Financial Times | date=21 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/20/italy-mario-draghi-senate-speech-government/ |title=Italy's Mario Draghi resigns; new elections are set for September |date=21 July 2022 |orig-date=2022-07-20 |author1=Chico Harlan |author2=Stefano Pitrelli |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}</ref> Calenda, who also had favoured a Draghi government without the M5S,<ref>{{cite web | author1=Adnkronos | url=https://www.adnkronos.com/governo-calenda-draghi-avanti-senza-m5s_6IUVLVOA0L19nkknQbOt5k | title=Crisi governo, Calenda: "Draghi avanti senza M5S" | work=Adnkronos | date=14 July 2022 }}</ref> was very critical of Lega and FI.

In the aftermath of Draghi's resignation, senator Andrea Cangini switched from FI to Action.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_luglio_22/cangini-lascia-forza-italia-aderisce-ad-azione-l-unica-cosa-sensata-compatibile-la-mia-cultura-politica-e8c7ab92-09d2-11ed-8f44-5a1d0a96058f.shtml | title=Cangini lascia FI e aderisce ad Azione di Calenda: "È l'unica cosa sensata" | date=22 July 2022 }}</ref> In the event, Calenda hoped that also other leading dissidents of FI, including ministers Mariastella Gelmini and Mara Carfagna, could soon join the party.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_luglio_24/carlo-calenda-azione-gelmini-carfagna-alleanze-a2d736b6-0ac2-11ed-90af-bbc9cb24f264.shtml | title=Calenda: "Gelmini e Carfagna? Spero scelgano noi" | date=24 July 2022 }}</ref> After Calenda's call, both Gelmini and Carfagna signalled that they would do so<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_luglio_25/gelmini-campo-azione-forza-italia-perde-altri-pezzi-7ee1b9e0-0c4b-11ed-b3b8-bcecca2571b4.shtml | title=Forza Italia perde altri pezzi, Gelmini in campo con Azione | date=25 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/elezioni/22_luglio_29/mara-carfagna-calenda-3f0bf184-0eb0-11ed-b9a9-83c8f0151a0c.shtml | title=Carfagna: "Scelgo Calenda per salvare il Paese dagli estremismi. E spero in Draghi" | date=29 July 2022 }}</ref> and were formally welcomed in the party during a press conference with Calenda.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/07/29/news/calenda_gelmini_carfagna-9962223 | title=Calenda accoglie Carfagna e Gelmini con tutti gli onori: Entrano in segreteria | date=29 July 2022 }}</ref> Contextually, other deputies followed the two ministers out of FI and joined Action.

In early August, Az/+E formed a political pact with the PD, that would give three candidates in single-seat constituencies to Az/+E for every seven candidates given to the PD.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/08/conto-alla-rovescia-verso-il-voto-il-diario-del-2-agosto-2b033c8e-e5b9-494c-91c7-c6c15baea36a.html | title=Letta-Calenda: Raggiunto l'accordo sull'alleanza | date=2 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/elezioni-accordo-pd-azione-europa-no-leader-e-nomi-divisivi-uninominale-AEPoLlqB | title=Elezioni, che cosa prevede l'accordo tra Pd, Azione e +Europa: No leader e nomi divisivi in uninominale | date=2 August 2022 }}</ref> Less than a week later, Calenda announced that he was walking away from the pact because of the parallel alliances that the PD had signed with the Greens and Left Alliance (formed by Green Europe and Italian Left) and Civic Commitment (led by Luigi Di Maio and Bruno Tabacci).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/08/07/elezioni-calenda-e-conte-rompono-con-il-pd.-renzi-terzo-polo-opportunita-straordinaria_03ffd6a9-e4cc-42f4-b546-3dbcd7abbe4d.html | title=Calenda strappa col Pd, Letta: 'Noi andiamo avanti' – Politica | date=7 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/22_agosto_07/calenda-annunziata-non-intendo-continuare-l-alleanza-il-pd-20d8472a-1645-11ed-9b98-cecb1a656088.shtml?refresh_ce | title=Calenda rompe col Pd: Mi scuso col Paese, mi aspettavo di più. Letta: "Può allearsi solo con se stesso" | date=8 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/accordo-letta-sinistra-verdi-e-maio-berlusconi-rilancia-flat-tax-AEUyVtrB | title=Calenda rompe con il Pd. Letta: Ha scelto di aiutare la destra. Renzi: Terzo polo opportunità straordinaria | date=7 August 2022 }}</ref> Calenda's decision caused the break-up of the federation with +E, as the latter's leaders wanted to continue their alliance with the PD.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.today.it/politica/elezioni/politiche-2022/calenda-piu-europa-azione.html | title=Dopo lo strappo di Calenda, Più Europa verso la rottura con Azione }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.it/politica/2022/08/07/news/europa_ribadisce_lapprezzamento_per_il_patto_con_pd_e_azione-10003469 | title=Più Europa dopo lo strappo di Calenda: "Decisioni in direzione" | date=7 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.open.online/2022/08/07/elezioni-politiche-2022-piu-europa-convoca-direzione-dopo-rottura-calenda-pd | title=I vertici di +Europa dopo la rottura Pd-Calenda: "Domani riuniamo la direzione". Magi: "Il patto con il Pd? Per noi resta valutazione positiva" | date=7 August 2022 }}</ref> Finally, Action formed a joint electoral list with Matteo Renzi's Italia Viva (IV).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2022/08/11/elezioni-raggiunto-laccordo-per-il-terzo-polo.-renzi-calenda-guidera-la-campagna_8c1bb13f-0567-4b6f-851b-d6a964dfbbb8.html | title=Elezioni, raggiunto l'accordo per il Terzo polo. Renzi: 'Calenda guiderà la campagna' – Politica | date=11 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rainews.it/maratona/2022/08/conto-alla-rovescia-verso-il-voto-il-diario-dell11-agosto-34f57cb2-2baf-473e-994f-ca6be24f6eaa.html | title=Nasce il Terzo polo, definito l'accordo tra Renzi e Calenda. "Abbiamo deciso di provarci" | date=11 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2022/08/11/news/c-e-l-accordo-azione-italia-viva-e-nato-il-terzo-polo-4320582 | title=C'è l'accordo Azione-Italia Viva. Renzi: "Calenda guida la campagna elettorale" }}</ref> The joint list obtained 7.8% of the vote.

In the aftermath of the election, during a national assembly in Naples, the party elected Carafagna as president with 84% of the delegates' vote, replacing Richetti, who had become the leader in the Chamber of Deputies. The party also approved a path toward a stable federation with IV with 93% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.azione.it/buon_lavoro_presidente | title=Buon lavoro Presidente! | access-date=21 November 2022 | archive-date=21 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121153419/https://www.azione.it/buon_lavoro_presidente | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2022/11/19/azione-mara-carfagna-e-la-nuova-presidente-obiettivo-diventare-il-primo-partito-italiano/6878979 | title=Azione, Mara Carfagna è la nuova presidente: "Obiettivo diventare il primo partito italiano" | date=19 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://gazzettadelsud.it/foto/politica/2022/11/19/mara-carfagna-nuovo-presidente-di-azione-daremo-una-casa-ai-liberali-e-riformisti-a5c4a8fe-9f22-466d-8b5e-4aaed2044d9a | title=Mara Carfagna nuovo presidente di Azione: "Daremo una casa ai liberali e riformisti" | date=19 November 2022 }}</ref>

After the election, Renzi frequently clashed with Calenda,<ref>{{cite web | title=Renzi-Calenda, la storia appena cominciata è già finita | website=ItaliaOggi.it | date=14 April 2023 | url=https://www.italiaoggi.it/news/renzi-calenda-la-storia-appena-cominciata-e-gia-finita-202304130929523896 | language=it | access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Luca |first=Davide Maria De |title=Così Renzi il distruttore ha rottamato pure Calenda |url=https://www.editorialedomani.it/politica/italia/cosi-renzi-il-distruttore-ha-rottamato-pure-calenda-kt09qgrb |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.editorialedomani.it |language=it-it}}</ref> leaving the alliance's future uncertain. In September 2023, Renzi announced that IV would run in the 2024 European Parliament election within a brand new coalition/list named "The Centre".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-04 |title=Renzi si candida alle Europee con il brand 'Il Centro'. Calenda: "Buona strada, qualunque cosa sia" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2023/09/04/news/renzi_candidatura_europee_centro-413275460/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iannaccone |first=Stefano |title=Renzi rischiatutto. Con il Centro nel 2024 per svuotare Forza Italia |url=https://www.editorialedomani.it/politica/italia/renzi-rischiatutto-con-il-centro-nel-2024-per-svuotare-forza-italia-lpe470ab |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.editorialedomani.it |language=it-it}}</ref> This led former minister Elena Bonetti to leave the party in order to seek an alternative alliance with Action.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-10 |title=Bonetti, lascio Renzi, ora un ticket con Calenda – Notizie – Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2023/09/10/bonetti-lascio-renzi-ora-un-ticket-con-calenda_bd24efc8-5e61-4fa5-9052-b910528e029a.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Logroscino |first=Adriana |date=2023-10-09 |title=Bonetti: "Lascio Renzi e la sua idea di centro. Il futuro? Un ticket con Calenda" |url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/23_settembre_10/bonetti-lascio-renzi-sua-idea-centro-futuro-ticket-calenda-b577ac54-4fba-11ee-bf2a-fe4dfcd6f834.shtml |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref> Also Ettore Rosato, another IV leading member, was critical and seemed interested in joining Action, but, before leaving the party, he was expelled by Renzi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Matteo Renzi espelle Rosato da Iv e punta alla staffetta con Macron per guidare il Consiglio europeo |url=https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2023/09/22/news/matteo_renzi_espelle_rosato_da_iv_e_punta_alla_staffetta_con_macron_per_guidare_il_consiglio_europeo-13398784/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=La Stampa |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Rosato lascia Iv: Renzi lo anticipa e lo scarica. L'ex fedelissimo ora dice: "Caccia chi non è d'accordo" |url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2023/09/22/anche-rosato-lascia-italia-viva-renzi-lo-fa-fuori-prima-delladdio-ufficiale-caccia-chi-non-e-daccordo-con-lui/7300274/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Il Fatto Quotidiano |language=it-IT}}</ref> Subsequently, Bonetti and Rosato launched Populars Europeanists Reformers (PER).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-06 |title=Bonetti: "Pensiamo a un nuovo partito. Il Terzo polo non è morto" |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2023/10/07/news/elena_bonetti_calenda_renzi_per-417096975/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> The pair finally joined Action in January 2024, with Bonetti becoming vice president and Rosato deputy secretary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Calenda: "Bonetti e Rosato entrano in Azione" – Notizie – Ansa.it |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2024/01/29/calenda-bonetti-e-rosato-entrano-in-azione_c338b2d2-3f96-4baa-87d8-f14cf49d3cf4.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Agenzia ANSA |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=L'ex renziana Elena Bonetti in Azione, ora è ufficiale: "Il partito unitario di centro è ancora possibile" |url=https://www.lastampa.it/politica/2024/01/29/news/bonetti_azione_calenda_centro-14028779/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=La Stampa |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Azione, Calenda: "Ufficializziamo ingresso Bonetti e Rosato, non ho il bisogno di sentire Renzi" |url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2024/01/29/azione-calenda-ufficializziamo-ingresso-bonetti-e-rosato-non-ho-il-bisogno-di-sentire-renzi/7425931/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Il Fatto Quotidiano |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Calenda accoglie Rosato e Bonetti in Azione per creare un Terzo polo senza Renzi |url=https://www.ilfoglio.it/politica/2024/01/29/news/calenda-accoglie-rosato-e-bonetti-in-azione-per-creare-un-terzo-polo-senza-renzi-6154047/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.ilfoglio.it |language=it}}</ref> Also in January, MP Federica Onori and MEP Fabio Massimo Castaldo switched from the M5S to Action.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2024/02/01/massimo-castaldo-e-federica-onori-da-m5s-passano-ad-azione_bd6228dd-02ec-405b-9dcf-f10295ac98b8.html | title=Massimo Castaldo e Federica Onori da M5s passano ad Azione – Notizie – Ansa.it | date=February 2024 }}</ref>

In October 2023, having recently exited the European Democratic Party, Action joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) as a full member.<ref>{{cite web | title=Azione in Europa passa all'ALDE: i dettagli dell'operazione e il rapporto con Italia Viva | website=dangelodario.it| date=21 September 2023 | url=https://dangelodario.it/2023/09/21/esclusivo-azione-in-europa-passa-allalde-i-dettagli-delloperazione-e-il-rapporto-con-italia-viva/ | language=it | access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ALDE Party Council welcomes new members in Bucharest |url=https://www.aldeparty.eu/alde_party_council_welcomes_new_members_in_bucharest |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=ALDE Party |language=en}}</ref> In March 2024 Action formed a federative pact with the Italian Republican Party (PRI).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ravennatoday.it/politica/elezioni-siglato-patto-azione-pri-condividiamo-valori-identita-politica.html|title=Elezioni, siglato il patto tra Azione e Pri: "Condividiamo valori e identità politica"|publisher=Ravenna Today|date=11 March 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, Action formed an alliance also with the European Republicans Movement (MRE).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/marche/notizie/2024/03/25/europee-siglato-accordo-tra-azione-e-repubblicani-europei_3266e2c0-1194-4e12-baac-aa94aad90a7d.html|title=Europee: siglato accordo tra Azione e Repubblicani europei – Notizie – Ansa.it|date=25 March 2024|website=Agenzia ANSA}}</ref>

===2024 EP election=== In the run-up of the 2024 European Parliament election, Action presented its "We are Europeans – Action" list. This list is composed of eight other parties or groups: NOS, PER, PRI, MRE, Liberal Socialist Association (LS), Liberal Democracy (DL), Reform Popular Civic Platform (PCPR) and Team K.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.isimbolidelladiscordia.it/2024/04/siamo-europei-azione-punta-renew-europe.html|title=Siamo Europei, Azione punta a Renew Europe con 8 partner nel simbolo|first=Pubblicato da Gabriele|last=Maestri}}</ref> Contextually, Italia Viva, More Europe, the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Radicals, the European Liberal Democrats and L'Italia c'è formed an alternative liberal and pro-Europeanist list named "United States of Europe".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2024/03/elezioni-europee-italia-viva-e--europa-uniti-al-centro-nasce-la-lista-stati-uniti-deuropa-9d21a509-6d20-45e5-8f67-eb7f0df15694.html|title=Elezioni europee, Italia Viva e + Europa uniti al centro, nascerà la lista "Stati Uniti d'Europa"|publisher=RaiNews|date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/politica/24_marzo_27/italia-viva-europa-c-simbolo-stati-uniti-d-europa-siamo-lista-scopo-28cea254-ec71-11ee-add4-970da8b7bf13.shtml|title=Italia viva e +Europa, c'è il simbolo: Stati Uniti d'Europa.|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|date=27 March 2024}}</ref> As a result, a minority of More Europe, including its president Federico Pizzarotti, left the party, joined Action and will run in the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2024/04/10/news/federico_pizzarotti_piu_europa_elezioni_europee_azione-422456680/|title=L'annuncio di Pizzarotti: "Lascio +Europa, non condivido l'alleanza con Renzi". E passa con Azione|publisher=La Repubblica|date=10 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2024/04/10/calenda-pizzarotti-candidato-nella-lista-di-azione-alle-europee_57dc1de0-1026-48c6-bab4-a62cd19f1e8a.html|title=Calenda, Pizzarotti candidato nella lista di Azione alle Europee|publisher=Ansa|date=10 April 2024}}</ref> Calenda and Bonetti will stand as candidates in all five constituencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2024/04/28/news/calenda_candidato_europee_2024-422757240|title=Calenda: "Io candidato in tutte le circoscrizioni"|publisher=La Repubblica|date=10 April 2024}}</ref>

In the run-up of three regional elections scheduled in the fall of 2024, Calenda aligned the party with the centre-left. This caused the exit of four senior centre-right figures, namely president Carfagna, deputy secretaries Costa and Gelmini, as well as Giusy Versace.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dopo-costa-lasciano-anche-gelmini-carfagna-e-versace-e-fuga-azione-AFFciJyD | title=Ancora defezioni da Azione: Gelmini, Carfagna e Versace lasciano il partito di Calenda | date=17 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2024/09/18/news/carfagna_gelmini_calenda_azione_noi_moderati-423506318 | title=Carfagna e Gelmini, addio a Calenda. "Sono delle ingrate" | date=17 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.editorialedomani.it/politica/italia/lagonia-di-azione-cosa-puo-succedere-dopo-laddio-di-gelmini-e-carfagna-w422rm0d | title=L'Agonia di Azione, cosa può succedere dopo l'addio di Gelmini e Carfagna }}</ref> The first two were sitting deputies and the other two sitting senators, as a result the party was reduced to 10 deputies and two senators. Costa re-joined FI, while the other three joined Us Moderates.

In the run-up to the party's second congress, to be held in March 2025, Calenda was re-elected with 85.8% of the vote by party members. Calenda was challenged by outgoing vice president Pastorella, who was not able to field her candidacy all over the country and was particularly strong in northern Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2025/02/16/azione-calenda-proclamato-segretario-con-858-voti_bce40844-202f-4e8d-b708-0d0ed8ef64a0.html|title=Azione, Calenda proclamato segretario con 85,8% voti|date=16 February 2025 |publisher=Ansa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2025/02/16/news/calenda_confermato_segretario_azione-424007894/|title=Calenda confermato segretario di Azione: "Al lavoro insieme per far crescere il partito"|publisher=La Repubblica|date=16 February 2025}}</ref> During the congress, which saw the participation of leading politicians from left and right, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto and former EU Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni,<ref>{{cite web|title=Congresso di Azione all'insegna del dialogo, c'è anche Meloni: "Sempre per confronto"|url=https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/03/congresso-nazionale-di-azione-calenda--meloni-pd-orsini-diretta-4ab37bb3-452f-449d-87d0-9fba8883a714.html|website=Rai News|date=29 March 2025}}</ref> Calenda was proclaimed secretary again and Bonetti was elected president by acclamation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elena Bonetti eletta presidente di Azione per acclamazione|url=https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/video/video-news-by-vista/42048018/elena-bonetti-eletta-presidente-di-azione-per-acclamazione/|newspaper=Libero|date=29 March 2025}}</ref> Calenda proposed a transversal alliance between his party, FI, sectors of the PD and some centrist parties.<ref>{{cite news|title=Calenda chiama a raccolta i «volenterosi italiani» guardando a Fi e pezzi del Pd|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/calenda-chiama-raccolta-volenterosi-italiani-guardando-fi-e-pezzi-pd-AG1E5WrD?refresh_ce=1|newspaper=Il Sole 24 Ore|date=31 March 2025}}</ref>

In the 2025 regional elections the party did not run as a party, but individual members were elected from centrist joint lists in Aosta Valley<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lastampa.it/aosta/2025/09/30/news/leonardo_lotto_eletto_valle_aosta_azione-15330694 |title=lastampa.it |website=lastampa.it |date=30 September 2025 |access-date=2026-04-02}}</ref> and Veneto.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ilriformista.it/veneto-non-ce-solo-la-lega-nicolo-rocco-voce-del-centro-riformista-in-regione-treviso-studia-da-laboratorio-politico-491797 |title=ilriformista.it |website=ilriformista.it |date=4 December 2025 |access-date=2026-04-02}}</ref>

In February 2026 Elisabetta Gualmini MEP left the PD and joined Action, giving it representation in the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2026/02/16/news/elisabetta_gualmini_lascia_pd_entra_azione-425162957 |title=repubblica.it |website=repubblica.it |date=16 February 2026 |access-date=2026-04-02}}</ref>

==Election results== === Italian Parliament === {| class="wikitable" style="width:50%; border:1px #aaf solid;" |- |colspan=6|Chamber of Deputies |- !width=13%|Election year !width=16%|Votes !width=6%|% !width=1%|Seats !width=8%|+/− !width=18%|Leader |- !2022 |Into A–IV |7.8 |{{composition bar|12|400|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|{{increase}} 12}} |{{center|Carlo Calenda}} |}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:50%; border:1px #aaf solid;" |- |colspan=6|Senate of the Republic |- !width=13%|Election year !width=16%|Votes !width=6%|% !width=1%|Seats !width=8%|+/− !width=18%|Leader |- !2022 |Into A–IV |7.8 |{{composition bar|4|200|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|{{increase}} 4}} |{{center|Carlo Calenda}} |}

===European Parliament=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! Election ! Leader ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/– ! EP Group |- ! 2024 | Carlo Calenda | 785,580 (7th) | 3.36 | {{Composition bar|0|76|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} | New | – |}

=== Regional Councils === {|class=wikitable style="border:1px #AAAAFF solid" |- !width=150px|Region !width=100px|Election year !width=100px|Votes !width=100px|% !width=100px|Seats !width=50px|+/− !width=100px|Status in legislature |- !Aosta Valley !2025 |colspan="2"|Into Autonomists of the Centre |{{composition bar|1|35|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|{{increase}} 1}} | {{yes2|Majority}} |- !Lombardy !2023 |colspan="2"|Into Action – Italia Viva |{{composition bar|1|80|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! Friuli-Venezia Giulia ! 2023 |colspan="2"|Into Action – Italia Viva | {{Composition bar|0|48|hex={{party color|Brothers of Italy}}}} | style="text-align:center;" |{{center|–}} | style="background:#ddd; text-align:center"| No seats |- !Emilia-Romagna !2020 | colspan="2" |Into Bonaccini list |{{composition bar|1|50|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | {{yes2|Majority}} |- !Lazio !2023 |colspan="2"|Into Action – Italia Viva |{{composition bar|0|51|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | style="background:#ddd; text-align:center"| No seats |- !Abruzzo !2024 |23,156 |4.00% |{{composition bar|1|31|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | {{no2|Opposition}} |- !Sicily !2022 |colspan="2"|Into Action – Italia Viva |{{composition bar|0|70|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | style="background:#ddd; text-align:center"| No seats |- !Sardinia !2024 |colspan="2"|Into Action – +Eu – LDE – UPC |{{composition bar|0|60|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}} |{{center|–}} | style="background:#ddd; text-align:center"| No seats |}

==Leadership== *Secretary: Carlo Calenda (2022–present) **Deputy Secretary: Enrico Costa (2022–2024), Mariastella Gelmini (2022–2024), Andrea Mazziotti (2022–present), Ettore Rosato (2024–present), Francesca Scarpato (2024–present) **Coordinator: Andrea Mazziotti (2022–present) **Organisational secretary: Ettore Rosato (2025–present) **Spokesperson: Valentina Grippo (2022), Mariastella Gelmini (2022–2024), Francesca Scarpato (2025–present) *President: Matteo Richetti (2022), Mara Carfagna (2022–2024), Elena Bonetti (2025–present) **Vice President: Emma Fattorini (2022–present), Giulia Pastorella (2022–present), Elena Bonetti (2024–2025) *Party leader in the Chamber of Deputies: Matteo Richetti (2022–present)

==Symbols== <gallery> Siamo Europei Logo.png|We Are Europeans logo Azione - logo negative (Italy, 2019-2021).svg|Action logo until October 2021 Azione - logo (Italy, 2021-).svg|Action logo since October 2021 </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons}} * [https://www.azione.it/ Official website]

{{Renew Europe}} {{Political parties in Italy}}

Category:2019 establishments in Italy Category:Centrist parties in Italy Category:Pro-European political parties in Italy Category:Democratic Party (Italy) breakaway groups Category:Liberal parties in Italy Category:Political parties established in 2019 Category:Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party member parties