Italy-EU relations face growing vulnerabilities

Significance

This coincided with other tensions between Meloni and Brussels. Meloni was strongly critical of an EU rule-of-law report on Italy, and was furious that she was sidelined from the decision-making process to appoint candidates for the EU’s main jobs.

Impacts

• Poor results for the League in upcoming regional elections in Italy, especially in Umbria, could trigger a leadership challenge.
• The Commission will come under growing pressure to take action against Italy over rule-of-law concerns.
• Victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election could embolden Meloni to adopt a more nationalist foreign policy.