Italy’s Role in Europe under Renzi

Abstract:

The Renzi government has pursued two main and interconnected objectives within the EU: the promotion of Italy’s role – not least in response to the ever-looming risk of marginalization – and the creation of new forms of integration and solidarity among member states. It has called, in particular, for more effective anti-cyclic efforts at the European level and advanced a number of proposals on migration, calling for a real collective management of the refugee crisis.

However, on both fronts – migration and economic policy – most of the reform plans have been frozen or remained a dead letter. This has contributed to fuelling anti-EU sentiments among the Italian public. There have been also unprecedentedly sharp tensions with the European Commission on Italy’s compliance with the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact. Italy continues to find itself in a position of inherent weakness due to a series of persistent structural problems including massive public debt and a fragile banking system.

The Renzi government has tried to cultivate preferential relations with Germany and France but a big three format is unlikely to consolidate.

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