Why Italy will confront the EU, but stay in the Euro

The coalition between the populist Five Star Movement and the nationalist League will lead to friction between Italy and Brussels. But the EU should avoid head-on confrontation and wait to see what the new government does. The new government will attempt to throw its weight around more with other member-states, and act more unilaterally in pursuing its interests. But it will probably not try actively to leave the eurozone. According to the latest Eurobarometer poll, only 30 per cent of Italians disapprove of the euro. And polling reveals that even 56 per cent of Five Star supporters and 40 per cent of League voters want to keep the single currency.

ESO: In Focus, April-May 2018: What the Italian Election Means for the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-the-italian-election-means-for-the-eu/

ESO: Key Source: Italian general election, 2018 http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-general-election-2018/

Centre for European Reform: Insight, January 2018: Italy after the election: from partner to spoiler? (et al) http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-after-the-election-from-partner-to-spoiler/

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