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The Real Story: Italy's Populist Future

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Italy's Populist Power Struggle

01/06/2018 GMT

Italy's Populist Future

BBC World Service - The Real Story, Italy's Populist Future

Italy's embrace of populism and what it means for relations with the EU?

What has led to Italy's embrace of populism and what does it mean for its relations with the EU?

After nearly three months of negotiations and disputes, Italy has a new government. The country that road-tested Trump-style populist politics before the Donald has handed power to a pair of anti-establishment parties, The League and the 5 Star Movement. Italy's president, Sergio Mattarella, had blocked the coalition's choice of finance minister, Paolo Savona, claiming his views imperilled Italy's position in the Eurozone. But the coalition has backed down. Its new choice for finance minister has been accepted by the president. Nonetheless, Italy is entering uncharted waters. Its coalition is unhappy with the Eurozone's rules and Italian voters are looking for relief from unemployment, a massive debt, and what the 5 Star Movement calls "the sea taxi service" bringing migrants to Italy's shores. Ritula Shah and a panel of politicians and analysts unpick what lies behind Italy's divisions and discuss whether Italians are ready to risk leaving the Eurozone.
(Photo of  two boys on a bicycle carrying the Italian flag. Getty Images)

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