European populism is partially a symptom of the EU’s fatal flaws. We were lucky to escape in 2016, but for the nations who remain, Britain’s role should be that of helpful friend, not mischief-maker.
Italy heads to the polls on Sunday. It is likely to be another illustration of the uneasy relationship between the country’s volatile democratic politics and the strictures of Brussels’ political and economic orthodoxy.
If Italy really is to make a radical, momentous break with the Euro, sooner or later, voters should explicitly endorse the move.
One day the country’s voters may dig in against the long squeeze imposed on them from northern Europe. But don’t be too sure it will happen yet.
The vote split along geographic and political grounds; it is hard to see how any proper government can be formed between competing brands of populism.
Storming results for the Five Star Movement and the League pose big challenges to the established structure of Italian politics, to the EU, and to the left more generally.
Traditionally, a technocratic government would now steer the country through choppy waters. But this time that could lead to more instability.
The referendum was meant to be about constitutional reform. Instead, it’s become an anti-politics storm which could have wide-reaching consequences.
The Prime Minister was in gracefully valedictory mode, while the Leader of the Opposition behaved like a not very articulate limpet.
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter Here's your quick summary of Italy's election result. In fourth place with about 10% of the vote was the current prime minister – the free market, fiscally responsible (ie pro-austerity) Mario Monti. In third place, winning about a quarter of the vote, is the completely insurgent Five Star party […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter "Spain's economy records zero growth". "Spain unemployment at record high near 5 million". "Spanish Banks Tackle €26.2 Billion Capital Shortfall". "S&P downgrades Spain on weak growth outlook". Bad news stories about the Spanish economy trickle out almost daily. As a result of the economy grinding to a halt in the […]
Arianna Capuani is responsible for foreign relations in the United Kingdom for the Italian localist think tank Fondazione per la Sussidiarietà. Monday 6pm update: After results from at 90% of polling stations, Giuliano Pisapia was the winner with 55.15% votes overall against Moratti's 44.85%. Pisapia's spokesman Maurizio Baruffi talked about a victory over lies and […]
Giovanni Spinella is a ward chairman within Hampstead and KIlburn Conservative Association. Let there be no doubt: should Silvio Berlusconi’s government fall to a no-confidence vote tomorrow, the cause will not be the various allegations of his personal and professional conduct that have plagued him from the start of his political career. What will bring […]
By Tim Montgomerie On Wednesday David Cameron flew to Rome for dinner with his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi. Photographs of Mr Cameron's visits with foreign leaders are featured prominently on the Downing Street flickr account. From Obama to Merkel, from Zadari to Erdogan, there's a photo for every visit. But there's no official photo of […]
The election result was simply voters’ latest desperate attempt to send political elites at home and in Brussels a final warning.