Capo dello Stato e potere estero nell’Italia repubblicana. La presidenza Gronchi in retrospettiva

The essay critically analyses the role of the president of the republic in terms of Italian foreign policy, focusing on the presidency of Giovanni Gronchi (1955-1962) and his attempts to acquire a more active place in Italy’s international profile. Gronchi’s main attempts to change Italy’s foreign policy line failed. Despite this, the Gronchi presidency served as a model for subsequent presidents (both of the first and second Italian republic), who increased the president’s connection with foreign affairs. This research is based on a critical review of the existing literature and unpublished archival sources.