About: Italy
European left plans to take over the social democrats in EU elections
The Party of the European Left vows to be “the only alternative” to the conservatives and “the real alternative” to the far-right, according to a draft manifesto seen by EURACTIV.com; However, the fragmentation in the leftist family creates barriers.
Morocco plays cat and mouse with Africans headed to Europe
African emigrants are defying a campaign by Morocco to keep them away from land and sea crossings to Spain, which has become the main entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees following crackdowns elsewhere.
Italy’s Di Maio threatens to punish unfriendly newspapers
Luigi Di Maio, a key figure in Italy's populist government, has taken aim at the country's newspapers, accusing them of "polluting the debate" and threatening to pull advertising by state-owned companies.
Commission seeks dialogue with Five Star Movement, isolating Lega
Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger flew to Rome on Thursday (13 September), as part of a series of official visits he is doing to present the long-term EU budget (MFF) proposal. But he only talked to Italian deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement.
France, Benelux to propose EU aid for Africa in return for migrant help
France and the three Benelux countries on Thursday (6 September) launched a plan to offer EU funds to African countries in return for help stemming the flow of migrants to Europe.
Italy on collision course with EU over budget deficit
Party leaders in the Italian coalition government signalled they will seek leeway from the EU to increase next year's budget deficit, heading on a collision course with the European Commission and investors who want it cut.
Italy sends mixed signals to jittery markets after debt downgrade
Italy's new anti-establishment government sent contradictory signals to financial markets on Sunday (2 September) amid increasing concern Rome could breach EU spending limits as it comes under pressure to fulfil its anti-austerity electoral promises.
No country offers ports to migrant ships, angering Italy
Italy demanded on Thursday (30 August) the EU find other ports to disembark migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, suggesting it would withhold support for the EU naval mission against people-smuggling unless other countries take in survivors.
More responsibility on migration issue needed, says Mogherini
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday (30 August) "there is no consensus on practical solutions" to migration at the moment and urged member states to show more responsibility towards migrants in the Mediterranean.
Italy to push EU for reform of ‘Operation Sophia’
Rome will today (30 August) ask the European Union to rotate the ports where migrants rescued at sea disembark, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said, with France and Spain expected to top the list.
Oettinger warns Italy not to block EU budget talks
It is in no one's interest to hold up budget negotiations at the European Union, the bloc's budget chief warned Tuesday (28 August) after Italy threatened a blockade over the migrant issue.
Italy threatens to veto EU’s long-term budget over migration crisis
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio on Monday (27 August) threatened to veto the European Union's seven-year budget plan should the bloc not do more to share the burden of migrant arrivals.
‘Absurd’ Genoa bridge collapse triggers nationalisation row
Italy’s deputy prime ministers are in disagreement over whether the country’s motorway network should be nationalised following the tragic bridge collapse in Genoa on 14 August.
Investors ignore Trump support for Italy as bond yields rise
Italian bond yields matched their highest level over Spain since 2012 on Friday (24 August) as the economic and fiscal trajectories of the two countries diverge and investors ignored supportive comments for Italy from US President Donald Trump.
Commission hardens the tone with Italy, says will not bow to threats
The European Commission said on Friday (24 August) it will not bow to threats such as those made by Italian deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio, who warned his country could stop paying into the EU budget unless other member states agreed to take in migrants held on a coastguard ship in Sicily.
Italy to suspend EU funding unless others take in migrants
The European Commission has called a meeting today (25 August) after Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said his party would vote to suspend funding to the EU unless other member states agreed to take in migrants being held on a coastguard ship in Sicily.
EU unlikely to heed British call for more Russia sanctions
The European Union is unlikely to heed London's call for it to match the latest US sanctions against Moscow over an attack on a former Russian spy in Britain earlier this year, diplomats in Brussels said.
Conte calls on EU partners to help with migrant boat
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday (22 August) appealed to Italy's European Union partners to take in some of the migrants held on a coastguard ship in a Sicilian port and not allowed to disembark.
Clouds gather for Europe in run up to 10th anniversary of financial crisis
Discrepancies between Italy and the EU over its expenditure, the trade dispute with the US and political quagmires such as the Brexit talks and the migration challenge cloud EU prospects ahead of the tenth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Italy allows docking of ship with migrants, ends standoff with Malta
Italy will let its coast guard ship carrying 177 migrants rescued on the Mediterranean Sea five days ago dock in Sicily, Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said on Monday, ending a standoff with Malta over where the ship should disembark.
Has the eurozone learned from its Greek odyssey?
Greece will formally turn the page on its debt saga this week, but the eurozone remains vulnerable to further crises, with economists particularly worried about the situation in Italy.
Turkish instability threatens Europe from the Italian flank
Market pressure, financial exposure and a potential review of a key migration deal with Ankara has made Italy the most vulnerable country to the recent financial turmoil in Turkey.
Oettinger dismisses claims EU to blame for Italian bridge collapse
Brussels has recently encouraged Italy to increase expenditure in infrastructure, EU officials said on Thursday (16 August) in response to Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s allegations that the bloc's austerity policies were partly responsible for Italian bridge collapse.