An article published this week in
the Financial Times newspaper entitled "How Italy fell out of
love with the EU" analyses how recession, austerity and the
migrant crisis has strained links between Rome and Brussels and
led to Premier Matteo Renzi's growing criticism of EU elites.
In the article, journalist James Politi writes that
restoring Italians' faith in the EU "will not be a simple task
for Mr Renzi given how much the country has fallen out of love
with Europe".
Politi cites an Ipsos survey that shows the share of
Italians reporting that they have confidence in the EU had
fallen to 40% in January 2016 from 73% in 2010.
He says there is a risk for Renzi that his "brash and
direct tone with the EU will backfire". One of the biggest tests
for Renzi will be in May when the EU will have to decide whether
to accept Italy's request for greater flexibility in its annual
budget, taking into account the reforms it has passed so far.
"The fear in Rome is that if Europe does not begin to
change, the populist tide in Italy could become much fiercer,
possibly even toppling Mr Renzi," Politi writes.
"Elections are due in 2018, but he could face a crisis
earlier if voters turn down his constitutional reforms in a
referendum set for the autumn. In such a scenario, it is not out
of the question that Italy could end up exiting the EU or the
euro".
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