The Return of 'The Italian Question'

2018 has seen another spring dominated by political manoeuvrings, in particular the return of 'The Italian Question'.

The proposal from the two Italian populist parties, the Lega Nord and the Five Star Movement (an odd alliance), of a eurosceptic economist for finance minister caused a shudder; the threat of fresh elections following his rejection by President Sergio Mattarella brought another.  An election now could easily bring an even more extreme result. Some calm was restored as the parties decided to proceed with the formation of a government, anyway. Brexit blog: David Davis withdraws threat to quit The result was a dramatic repricing of Italian bonds, taking the bond markets of the other M...