Why Rome Is Lashing Out at Brussels

Public opinion in Italy, once one of the most staunchly pro-EU of European countries, has shifted substantially, as a recent Demos poll for La Repubblica shows. Scalfari argues that Renzi’s Democratic Party, and the government he leads, are in principle Europeans, as are the centre-right parties. On the other hand, the Five-Star Movement, Northern League and far-right Fratelli d'Italia (Italian Brothers), supported by 45% of the voting public, are against Europe and the euro. “Nationalism” is a word not used since the time of Mussolini, Scalfari says. “Renzi has dusted it off in order to shake the indifferent and to take votes away from the parties that will vote against the EU and against the euro.” Scalfari thinks he will succeed. “Or at least he will not lose votes.”