Italy

Europe’s populist outbreak is set for a key test on March 4 as voters in Italy go to the polls to choose a new government. Anti-establishment parties have enjoyed a surge in recent years, from Marine Le Pen’s Front National in France to the anti-migrant Alternative for Germany. Italy — where populist parties have traditionally done well — has Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement and the Northern League. Will they capitalise on the country’s immigration headache, stagnating economy and anti-establishment sentiment? Why should I care? If Eurosceptic parties form the next Italian government that could throw a spanner in the wider EU project — still on the ropes after Brexit. The election outcome will also influence how Italy deals with its huge public debt and have wider ramifications for the Euro area In addition, Italy is the major door into Europe for African migrants and a new regime may affect how many arrive into the country and beyond. … [Read more...] about Explained: Italy’s general election and why it’s important for Europe

Get your children vaccinated, or be fined. That’s now the message in Italy, where the country’s cabinet has approved a law which obliges parents to protect their children against a string of infectious diseases. Those up to six years old will not be accepted into nursery schools without proof of inoculations. And parents sending their children to school after that age without vaccinating them first will now face fines. “This is not an emergency, but it is a matter of concern to which the government intends to respond to,” said Paolo Gentiloni, Italian Prime Minister. “I am convinced that, with the necessary gradual steps, Italian families will have a much higher level of protection for their children than is currently the case.” It comes after a warning that a fall-off in vaccinations had led to a measles epidemic, an epidemic that’s sparked a huge public debate. Some 2,395 measles cases have been recorded so far this year, … [Read more...] about Vaccinate your child or face a fine – Italy gets tough after measles epidemic

The leader of Italy’s premier conservative party “The League” has launched a hard-hitting campaign for upcoming elections based on a platform of national sovereignty in the style of Donald Trump and Brexit.In one of his campaign posters, Matteo Salvini takes on the European Union (EU) head-on, proclaiming “Slaves to Europe? No Thanks,” a notion that resonates among Salvini’s base of Italians who believe that their nation has yielded far too much of its sovereignty to Brussels bureaucrats. In recent days, Salvini has assured his supporters that if elected he will pull Italy out of the European common currency, insisting that the euro is partly to blame for Italy’s economic crisis. “I remain convinced … that the euro under these conditions was an error, which we will remedy,” he said earlier this week. Salvini’s other slogans are equally provocative, promising stricter border controls, deportation of illegal immigrants and … [Read more...] about Italy’s Center-Right Launches Full-Throttle Campaign: No Longer ‘Slaves to Europe’

Romania and Italy have been urged to take urgent action to address a spike in measles cases. There were 1,532 cases reported in Romania from August to January, compared with 463 in the previous six-month period, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Italy saw its number of cases treble between December and January, the latest month for which figures were available. “I urge all endemic countries to take urgent measures to stop transmission of measles within their borders, and all countries that have already achieved this to keep up their guard and sustain high immunisation coverage,” said Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe. “Together we must make sure that the hard-earned progress made towards regional elimination is not lost. “With steady progress towards elimination over the past two years, it is of particular concern that measles cases are climbing in Europe. “Today’s travel patterns put no person or country beyond … [Read more...] about Romania and Italy told to take urgent action on measles outbreak

The government of Italy sent mixed signals on Friday amid an intensifying row with France. While one of Italy's deputy prime ministers refused to apologize for actions that ignited the spat, the other made overtures of friendship to his French counterpart. France has accused Italy of violating "the most elementary diplomacy" by not announcing a minister's visit to the country. Paris has also temporarily recalled its ambassador to Rome over months of "unfounded attacks," marking the most public dispute between the two EU-founding nations since the end of World War II. 'National leprosy' Tensions have been rising ever since a populist government, a coalition of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and nationalist League (Lega) party, took office in Rome last June. One of the main commonalities of the two seemingly disparate parties is their anti-immigration stance, which has put them at odds with France and other EU nations, including Germany. The simmering feud … [Read more...] about Italy sends mixed signals in historic spat with France