G7: A serious setback hardly avoided in iconic Biarritz

The G7 yearly summits are supposed to strengthen the unity of the world’s wealthiest democracies vis-à-vis the rest of the world. Not anymore, many say, but this time there is one important exception: Iran. The leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and of course the US, met during the weekend in the coastal […]

Europe faces economic turmoil as Italy gets closer to the Excessive Debt Procedure

Italy is in serious trouble as the EU deputy finance ministers seem to support the European Commission’s opinion on the actions required to reduce the country’s public debt. The huge growing debt together with the centre-right and euroskeptic alliance government is causing turbulences as regards its relations with Brussels. However, the Italian coalition leaders have […]

Will the EU be condemned by the International Criminal Court for violating migrants’ human rights?

It was two days ago when a group of lawyers sued the EU for the deaths of Libyan migrants who attempted to cross the Mediterranean. The case is being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which will have to rule whether or not EU nations violated human rights and are responsible for thousands of […]

European elections: A chance to repel both nationalism and no-deal Brexit

The results of the coming European Parliament elections of 23-26 May will have an unusually strong and long term impact on the wider political developments of the entire Old continent. There are two good reasons for that. The Europeans, including the Brits, will vote to definitely or not repel nationalism and a devastating no-deal Brexit. […]

Students in Milan are moving in with the elderly to fight loneliness and save money

This article is brought to you thanks to the strategic cooperation of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum.  Author: Emma Charlton, Writer Would you like to adopt a student? That’s the question being posed to Milan’s elderly, as Italy’s most expensive city seeks to match young people looking for affordable accommodation with seniors in need of company. […]

Italy’s revised budget remains roughly unchanged waiting for Europe’s fury

The Italian government concluded its revised budget a few hours ago and as expected the Italian budget plan remained the same with small amendments, such as plans to sell off some government real estate, but still is not respecting the EU fiscal rules. The latter is most likely not going to be left unanswered by the […]

Populist Eurosceptics helped by Trumpists seriously threaten the EU edifice

The confrontation between the populist Italian government and the European Union’s leadership has already left a clear trail on the European ground that permits us to project the itinerary of this conflict in the future. The Italian government is an unorthodox coalition of the extreme right wing party Lega, under its rebellious leader Matteo Salvini […]

Italy’s populist government appears determined to drive EU economy and markets into recession

The Italian budget plan has recently created turbulences and serious concerns in the EU economy as the third largest economy of the bloc cuts growth forecasts and increases spending. The European Commission together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have urged the Italian government to restate its budget and comply with the EU fiscal rules […]

EU migration crisis again accentuates lack of unity and solidarity among member states

Almost nothing was achieved between the EU member states at the mini migration summit which was convened in Brussels last Sunday. Despite the German efforts, there was no common ground among EU leaders. The latter was mainly due to the fact that Italy’s new anti-migrant government is against the “first country responsibility” rule which obliges […]

The Bavarians threaten Berlin and Brussels with immigration crisis

In an unprecedented move, the German Interior Minister is betraying his boss – Chancellor Angela Merkel – and is forming an anti-refugee alliance with the extreme right-wing Austrian government and the precarious new Italian populist administration. The impossible German Interior Minister, Horst Seehofer, the leader of the Bavarian CSU party and junior partner in the […]

Italian elections: a long political limbo is ahead

The outcome of the Italian general elections of last Sunday was disappointing leaving the country and the European Union in shock. The win of the two anti-establishment parties together with the fact that no single party managed to get the mandate of an overall majority leaves the country in a political uncertainty where a coalition […]

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