About: Matteo Salvini
Rescue boats return to the Mediterranean as 20,000 migrants prepare to cross from Libya
Two charity boats have headed back to the Mediterranean after a two-month hiatus in migrant rescue operations, as humanitarian groups await a new wave of arrivals.
Virus puts brakes on Salvini’s far-right message in Italy
Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy's far right, has seen his popularity drop as the coronavirus pandemic has drowned out his anti-immigrant message, but his League party remains a potent threat to the government.
Migrant workers regularisation puts strain on Italy’s ruling coalition
A standoff between Italy's ruling parties on the regularisation of illegal migrants working as agricultural labourers is slowing down the adoption of the latest aid package aimed at supporting families and companies during the lockdown.
Will Italy’s coronavirus epidemic fuel the far right?
Italy is staring down the barrel of the worst recession since World War II, which could bolster the far-right and damage the country's love affair with the European Union, analysts say.
‘From Russia with Love’: Putin sends aid to Italy to fight virus
The Russian army on Sunday (22 March) began flying medical help to Italy to help it battle the new coronavirus after receiving an order from President Vladimir Putin, a goodwill gesture that Moscow labelled "From Russia with Love".
Six die in Italy prison riot over anti-coronavirus measures
Six inmates were killed in a prison riot in Italy and guards were taken hostage at another jail, as unrest spread in prisons across the country over measures to contain the coronavirus, including restrictions on visits.
Communications and identity: A make-or-break year for the EU
With one of its important members seceding, the EU is navigating dangerous and uncharted waters and will need to take a more proactive approach in terms of communication to ensure that the ship stays on course, writes Anthony Spota.
Emilia Romagna voters upset Salvini’s plan to trigger early elections
Italy's populist leader Matteo Salvini appeared to have failed in his bid to win a key regional election and topple the country's fragile coalition government, according to exit polls late Sunday (26 January).
Italy’s Di Maio quits as 5-Star leader in blow to government
Luigi Di Maio stepped down on Wednesday (22 January) as leader of Italy's co-governing 5-Star movement, as it seeks to stem a wave of defections that threatens the government's parliamentary majority.
Italian Sardines square off against Salvini ahead of crucial vote
The "Sardines" grassroots movement protesting against the populism of far-right Italian leader Matteo Salvini staged a mass rally in the northern city of Bologna on Sunday (19 January) ahead of a regional vote that could shake up national politics.
Italy’s constitutional court rejects League’s bid to change electoral law
Italy's Constitutional Court on Thursday (16 January) rejected a request by the hard-right League party to hold a referendum to introduce a first-past-the-post electoral system, triggering the ire of League chief Matteo Salvini and relief in government ranks.
The battle between pro Nutri-score MEPs and Italy keeps raging on
A group of MEPs on Wednesday (15 January) spoke out against a fake news campaign by Italian politicians and stakeholders about the nutrition label known as Nutri-score, calling for it to be compulsory for all food manufacturers in the EU.
Salvini’s U-turn on Nutella exposes flaws in his ‘nationalist’ food policy
Lega leader Matteo Salvini's recent scolding of the iconic hazelnut spread 'Nutella' has exposed flaws in the 'Italian first' formula that has led the Italian to past electoral successes.
Italy’s Conte rebukes opposition as debate over ESM reform heats up
Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte called upon the right-wing opposition to act responsibly in talks over the reform of the eurozone bailout fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).
Retreating Eurosceptics now settle for ‘reforms from within’
Just a couple of minutes after Nigel Farage triumphantly proclaimed victory in the 2016 Brexit referendum, Brussels started worrying that such a trend would spread throughout the Old Continent like wildfire.
Italy’s PM in a tight spot amid wrongdoing allegations
After emerging as the clear winner from this summer's political crisis in Italy, Giuseppe Conte has found himself besieged by problems only eight weeks after resuming office again as prime minister.
Italy’s Salvini set for victory in Umbria local vote
A right-wing coalition is set for victory in an election on Sunday (27 October) in the central Italian region of Umbria, according to an exit poll, giving a boost to Matteo Salvini's League party.
Italy lets French migrant ship dock to anger of far right
Charity rescue ship Ocean Viking headed towards the southern Italian port of Taranto on Tuesday (15 October) after the government gave it authorisation to bring 176 migrants ashore in a decision that angered the far-right League.
A European ‘Mare Nostrum’ instead of Operation Sophia 2.0
An EU mission within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy is not the adequate instrument for controversial domestic issues such as migration, writes Tobias Pietz.
Salvini issues new migrant ban as seeks to derail new coalition
Italy's outgoing interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has banned another migrant-rescue ship from docking in the country, using the issue of immigration to pile pressure on his main two political rivals as they seek to form a new government.
Orban commiserates with ‘fellow combatant’ Salvini
Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán commiserated Thursday (29 August) with Italy's outgoing far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, calling him a "fellow combatant" in the fight for the "preservation of European Christian heritage and against migration".
Defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, killer robots, climate threat
EU defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons – also called “killer robots” –, hybrid threats and conflicts stemming from climate change, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini told the press after an informal Council meeting in Helsinki on Thursday (29 August).
Make or break day in Italy in ‘craziest crisis ever’
Wednesday (28 August) is D-Day for fraught negotiations to form a new Italian government, failing which the eurozone's third largest economy will be forced to hold fresh elections.