Tag "Italy"
Italy’s Presidential Election: What Comes Next?
On 29 January 2022, after eight rounds of voting, Italy re-elected Sergio Mattarella as President of the Republic. To many, this result came as a surprise, because Mattarella himself had clearly expressed his intention to step down based on moral grounds: while not expressly forbidden by the Constitution, the re-election of an incumbent head of state should be avoided–as then President Antonio Segni put it in a speech delivered in 1963 and recently cited by Mattarella–because the sheer possibility of it may create incentives for the incumbent to engage in acts meant to favor his or her re-election, de facto calling into question the impartiality of the President.
Italy Battles Continued Challenges to Political Stability
Italian politics has undergone radical change in the last year. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, new Prime Minister Mario Draghi faces the challenge of leading a stable Government that can secure Italy’s roadmap to freedom from the virus and overcome the related economic hardship. At the same time, two of the major parties in Italian politics, the democratic Party and the Five Star Movement have experienced ideological fragmentation and are seeking new political identities.
The Italian Recovery Plan: Health and Education
With a 9% fall in GDP and one of the highest Covid-19 death records in Europe, Italy has been one of the countries to have struggled the most in 2020. Now, more than 200bn euros are being offered to the country by the EU as part of an ambitious stimulus package. This represents a potentially unique occasion for the “Bel Paese” to reverse its crisis. The question being, is it actually possible?
The Murder of Giulio Regeni and the Egyptian-Italian Partnership
Four agents of the Egyptian secret services have been formally accused of the murder of the Italian student Giulio Regeni. Notwithstanding the widespread outrage among the Italian population, the government’s
Italy: Will the Government Fall (Again)?
Amid a global pandemic and with 209 billion euros to be spent to counter the effects of the economic downturn (-9.9% GDP), the Italian government is facing yet another crisis. Will this lead to the third change in the executive in less than three years? Or will the majority find a compromise before it is too late?
EU: Recent Migrant Influx Questions The Block’s Policy
A summer surge in migrants during the global coronavirus pandemic proves to be challenging for the European Union. The block’s tougher stance on migration since the 2015 crisis will likely require adjustments, as an influx of migrants from the Middle East and Latin America burdens southern Member States. However, internal collision on the issue is unlikely to lead to substantial migration policy reforms.
Italy Becomes More Anti-Immigrant and Anti-EU
Domestic and international events are increasing the appeal of nationalistic parties.
Italy: New coalition government takes charge
The far-left Five Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party formed a new coalition government to stave off the threat of a rapidly rising far-right. The new government is likely to boost market confidence and improve ties with the EU in the short run. However, the long-term viability of this partnership remains unclear.
Italian fiscal policy: Anger in Brussels and Rome
On June 5th, the European Union began a process of opening Excessive Deficit Procedures (EDP) against Italy, which could culminate in a multi-billion Euro financial penalty.
Italy after the European Parliament Elections: the Populists prevail
Despite gains in France, the UK and other nations, Italy remains the sole EU member state to have a populist governing coalition after the EU Parliament elections. What does this mean for the future of Italy-Brussels relations and key policy debates likely to emerge in the next session?
