Matteo Renzi’s election prospects: a work in progress [includes Italian local elections, June 2016]

Matteo Renzi has been Italian Prime Minister since 2014, but has faced a number of challenges in retaining his support ahead of the next general election. James L. Newell writes that much will be revealed by the results of local elections in June 2016, where Renzi’s party faces significant challenges, and beyond that by the usual problems of managing the economy in a country where growth remains weak and unemployment stubbornly high.

Wikipedia: Italian local elections, 2016 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_local_elections,_2016

Politico, 03.06.16: Matteo Renzi’s election stress test http://www.politico.eu/article/italy-local-elections-a-loose-loose-battle-for-prime-minister-matteo-renzi-virginia-raggi-beppe-grillo/

EurActiv, 06.06.16: Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star flourishes in Rome, challenging Renzi http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/italys-anti-establishment-5-star-flourishes-in-rome-challenging-renzi/

The Guardian, 02.06.16: Corruption gripes help Five Star Movement top Italy local election polls http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/02/corruption-gripes-help-five-star-movement-top-italy-local-election-polls

The Wall Street Journal, 06.06.16: Antiestablishment Candidate Takes Lead in Rome Mayoral Election http://www.wsj.com/articles/italian-local-elections-pose-big-test-for-prime-minister-matteo-renzi-1465118835

BBC News, 05.06.16: Italy elections: When in Rome shake up the politics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36433556

Euronews, 06.06.16: Italy: 5-Star set to win Rome as Renzi shrugs off local elections blow http://www.euronews.com/2016/06/06/italy-5-star-set-to-win-rome-as-renzi-shrugs-off-local-elections-blow/

Politico, 05.06.16: Local elections leave Matteo Renzi wounded after first round http://www.politico.eu/article/italy-5star-democratic-party-matteo-renzi-loses-rome-and-wins-milan-in-first-round-of-local-elections/

EUObserver, 06.06.16: Five Star candidate poised to become Rome's new mayor https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/133703

Euro|Topics: Debates, June 2016: Protest party dominates Italy's local elections http://www.eurotopics.net/en/160359/protest-party-dominates-italy-s-local-elections

The Local.it, 06.06.16: What you need to know about Italy's Five Star Movement http://www.thelocal.it/20160606/what-you-need-to-know-about-italys-five-star-movement

The Local.it, 06.06.16: Anti-establishment candidate leads Rome mayoral race http://www.thelocal.it/20160606/anti-establishment-candidate-leads-rome-mayoral-race

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