About: Italy
Italy’s government crisis comes to the boil
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will clear the air on the political crisis gripping his coalition as he is expected to announce his resignation today (20 August), opening a new period of political uncertainty for the eurozone's third-largest economy.
Six EU countries ready to take in migrants stranded off Italy
A 'coalition of the willing' of six EU member states have agreed to take some of the 147 migrants stranded on a rescue ship near the Italian island of Lampedusa, Rome announced Thursday (15 August), amid an immigration row between Italy's interior minister and premier.
Italy recalls Senate as no-confidence vote looms
Italy's political crisis edged forward on Monday (12 August) after party leaders decided to recall the Senate to vote on a timetable that could include a no-confidence vote and spell the end of the populist coalition.
Salvini’s quest for snap Italian election faces hurdles
Lega chief Matteo Salvini's call for snap Italian elections after he turned on his own coalition partner faced mounting resistance on Sunday (11 August), with both his former 5-Star ally and the centre-left opposition seeking to put the brakes on.
Italy’s Salvini says government is finished, calls for elections
Tension is mounting in Italy between its populist leaders over the financing of a multi-billion-euro high-speed train line, raising speculation the coalition government could collapse.
UN warns Italy over tough law on migrant rescue boats
The UN voiced concern on Tuesday (6 August) over a law approved by Italy's parliament that imposes stiffer penalties on NGO migrant rescue boats in the Mediterranean, demanding humanitarian work "not be criminalised or stigmatised."
Migrant rescue NGOs defy European states
A Spanish charity that saved 121 migrants in the Mediterranean last week vowed Monday (5 August) to continue sea rescue operations, the latest NGO to defy moves by European nations to shut down a route exploited by trafficking gangs. Proactiva...
Italian former EU minister to advise Macron, prompting backlash at home
Sandro Gozi, a former Italy's undersecretary to European affairs in both Renzi and Gentiloni cabinet, will serve as EU affairs advisor to French Prime minister Edouard Philippe, casting doubts over a potential conflict of interests.
Italy lets in stranded migrants after striking EU deal
Italy allowed 116 rescued migrants to disembark from a coastguard ship Wednesday with Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's backing after five EU countries and the Church agreed to share responsibility for looking after them.
Dozens of migrants still stuck on coastguard vessel in Italy port
An Italian coastguard vessel stranded in the Mediterranean with more than 130 migrants aboard has been allowed to dock in the Sicilian port of Augusta but Rome on Sunday (28 July) refused to let them disembark until a deal is struck with the EU.
Unconventional measures are seeing a comeback at the ECB
The ECB's key interest rate remains at zero and is expected to be at that rate at least until summer 2020. However, ECB chief Mario Draghi is suggesting that a decisive fiscal policy is far more important for the eurozone, especially for Germany and Italy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Conte tells the Italian Senate he stands by League over Russia funding scandal
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday (24 July) he had continued trust in the League party within his coalition government despite allegations it had sought illicit funds from Russia.
In setback for 5-Star, Italy’s PM backs completion of rail link with France
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday (23 July) that blocking works on a rail link with France would cost Italy more than completing the infrastructure, taking a stance on an issue that has divided the government coalition for months.
France, Italy, Denmark back European-led naval mission for Hormuz
France, Italy and Denmark gave initial support for a British plan for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, proposed after Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker, three senior EU diplomats said on Tuesday (23 July).
Von der Leyen vote may trigger snap elections in Italy
Italy's two ruling parties clashed on Wednesday (18 July) over the election of German Ursula von der Leyen as the next president of the European Commission in a vote that could endanger Rome's hopes of securing a top job in the new EU executive.
Commission’s forecast paves the way for new ECB stimulus
The European Commission kept its growth forecast unchanged at 1.2% on Wednesday (10 July) but revised downwards inflation to 1.3% for this year and the next, strengthening the case for further monetary stimulus as global economic risks worsen.
Malta to relocate 65 migrants after rescue ships defy Italy ban
Malta's prime minister said Sunday (7 July) his country would relocate to other EU nations 65 migrants from the Alan Kurdi rescue ship, after two other boats defied efforts to stop them landing in neighbouring Italy.
Putin, visiting Italy, says wants Rome to help mend Moscow-EU ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (4 July) he hoped Italy would battle to restore fully fledged relations between the European Union and Russia and help persuade the bloc's new leadership that sanctions on Moscow were counter-productive.
Italy escapes EU budget sanction procedure after spending cuts
The European Commission concluded on Wednesday (3 July) that Italy was no longer breaching the EU’s fiscal rules after the government reduced public spending by €7.6 billion in a last-minute effort to escape a sanction procedure.
Italian judge says German migrant rescue captain free to go
An Italian judge said Tuesday (2 July) that Sea-Watch 3 captain Carola Rackete was free to go, three days after her arrest for docking with 40 migrants aboard her rescue ship in defiance of an Italian ban.
EU needs new approach to ensure Mediterranean Sea security
Threats in the wider Mediterranean region and ongoing tensions between Rome and Paris are threatening Italy's geostrategic role in European and global defence in the region, experts have said in a report, also warning that climate change could further destabilise the region.
Sea-Watch migrant rescue boat defies Salvini, enters Italian waters
The Sea-Watch 3 NGO boat carrying dozens of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean entered Italian waters Wednesday (26 June) off Lampedusa island despite the threat of hefty fines from Italy's far-right interior minister.
Italy’s Tria sees no obstacles to budget deal with EU
Italy's economy minister said on Tuesday (25 June) he was confident of reaching an agreement with the European Union over the country's budget, adding that deficit targets in a draft deal would reflect a "more than prudent" fiscal policy.