“Trade steals our jobs”. Italians the most skeptical of the EU on global commerce

Free trade agreements (FTAs) are not good for the national system. That is what Italians believe, according to a survey published yesterday (20 November). No matter what the trade deal is: whether it is EU-Canada (CETA), EU-Mexico, EU-Viet Nam or EU-Singapore, just a little minority in the Italian Peninsula declared to be in favor of … Continue reading “Trade steals our jobs”. Italians the most skeptical of the EU on global commerce →

Italy, net contributor and great beneficiary of the EU

Italy gives more than what the Republic receives from Europe. This is the mantra of the two major leading political parties in Italy right now, the League and the Five Stars Movement (M5S). They keep repeating this statement in order to stress how Italy should be given respect by the other European partners. The leaders … Continue reading Italy, net contributor and great beneficiary of the EU →

Fact check: Salvini’s key messages under scrutiny

Italian ports are not as closed as officially stated, and the Italian government is much less active in fighting for its positions vis-à-vis its EU partners. This is no fake news. Regrettably, the fake news are “made in Italy” by the vice prime minister, minister for Home Affairs and leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, … Continue reading Fact check: Salvini’s key messages under scrutiny →

Di Maio in Brussels: In search of European allies

Populism, far-right, liberalism. There is a bit of everything in the recipe of the Five Star Movement (M5S) for Europe. M5S’ leader, Luigi Di Maio, started to unveil his plans for the next alliances in Europe in a visit to Brussels on 9 January. He had meetings with the leaders of different political forces: Kukiz … Continue reading Di Maio in Brussels: In search of European allies →