The article analyses the first Italian doctrine and jurisprudence on European integration, concentrating on the Corte costituzionale's decisions in the cases Costa, Acciaierie S. Michele and Frontini. The account shows that the general attitude of Italian legal culture toward European integration was more European-friendly than is suggested by the traditional image of the long-lasting confrontation with the European Court of Justice on the issue of supremacy of Community law.
European Public Law