Mario Draghi’s fall and the death of Italian left-wing populism
So, another unelected Italian government is collapsing, and the putatively pro-democratic media are all calling it a ‘dark day.’ In…
Could Giorgia Meloni become Italy’s next prime minister?
At the last Italian general election in 2018 the right-wing populist party, Fratelli d’Italia, got just 4 per cent of…
Boris is a saint compared to ‘Bunga Bunga’ Berlusconi
It was only a matter of time before someone really twisted the knife in and compared Boris ‘partygate’ Johnson to…
Italy’s hostility to Nato is building
Ravenna, Italy The war in Ukraine has caused an unholy convergence of the left and right in Italy.…
The war in Ukraine may benefit the populist right
Might war in Ukraine boost populism?
Do Russians support Putin’s war?
Everyone is calling the conflict in Ukraine Putin’s war and insisting that it has nothing to do with the Russians…
The pointless tyranny of Italy’s Covid pass
While most European countries, especially Britain, are relaxing their Covid restrictions, Italy which has the toughest of the lot, this…
Are wolves stalking us on the school run?
Italy’s wolves are on the march
Sergio Mattarella is Italy's captive president
Ah, those Italians! Italy’s parliament spent last week trying and failing to elect a new president in seven secret ballots.…
Mario Draghi and the murky quest to find Italy’s next president
In ancient Rome, a diviner called a haruspex would observe the entrails of sacrificed sheep and poultry, especially their livers,…
Can anyone beat Berlusconi to the Italian presidency?
Can Berlusconi become Italy’s next president?
Why is Bilbo Baggins a fascist favourite?
If you were asked to think of a perfect fascist, never in a month of Sundays would you suggest Bilbo Baggins…
Why are Europe’s far-right parties so opposed to compulsory vaccination?
Why are Europe’s fascists so opposed to compulsory vaccination?
Reports of the demise of Italian populism are greatly exaggerated
Britain’s newspapers have called the results of the local elections in Italy the death of populism. The Times, for example,…
Italy’s draconian vaccine laws are terrifyingly popular
In early August, Italy banned the unvaccinated from most forms of social life, then most forms of travel and now…
Italy, the ‘far right’ and the muted opposition to vaccine passes
Dante’s Beach, Ravenna Here is your starter for ten. Which Italian political party believes that individual liberty is sacred? Answer:…
The Italians are deluding themselves about the English
Not content with winning Euro 2020, many Italians have spent the days since the final engaged in a febrile orgy…
The challenges of being an England supporter in Italy
Dante’s Beach, Ravenna My fiery Italian wife Carla is not just a passionate patriot but also a devout Catholic, and…
England, Italy and the power of national pride
As an Englishman in enemy territory I am lucky that love is a more powerful emotion than patriotism otherwise after…
Can Italy's arch Eurocrat save his country?
The world these days is so blasè about the destruction of democracy that no one even thinks it worthy of…
In Italy, the novelty of house arrest has worn off
Life has been turned upside down
Life under lockdown: Italy is being consumed by panic
Italy is being consumed by panic
Italians believe the coronavirus outbreak shows their superiority
During times of contagion, you begin to understand why fascist salutes were once so popular. The foot-tap is replacing the…
Will Italy’s warring politicians succeed in shutting Salvini out of power?
What now looks like a distinct possibility in Italy after today’s resignation of Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte is a…
The secret of Matteo Salvini’s success
Last summer, when Italy became the first major European country to get a populist government, Steve Bannon was cock-a-hoop. The…
