[1][2] Its composition was the one resulting from the snap general election of 27 March 1994.

The election was called by President Scalfaro, after he dissolved the houses of Parliament on 16 January 1994.

[3] This decision was connected to some major events that permanently changed the shape of Italian internal politics during the beginning of the '90s, such as Tangentopoli and the Mafia trials.

This legislature marks the beginning of the so-called "Second Republic" (Italian: Seconda Repubblica), characterised by the progressive decline and dismantlement of the traditional parties, such as the Christian Democracy, the Italian Socialist Party, the Italian Communist Party, and the Italian Social Movement.

It also marks the official entrance of Silvio Berlusconi in Italian politics.