Italy’s recent election has caused a stir in the international community, mainly because it saw big winners among fringe groups such as the Five-Star Movement and the League. These populist parties surpassed their centre-left and center-right mainstream parties, according to the Washington Post.
The Five-Star movement is an anarchic party that encompasses a variety of Italians under the political spectrum, but seems to attract youths who are disillusioned with the overall system. The League is a far right group that is anti-E.U. and anti-immigration. Idealogical fuel for both Italian parties is found in fresh anger over the handling of political matters.
The BBC reports that, while the Five-Star Movement won a third of the vote, the League’s current alliance with Forza Italia, the mainstream centre-right party, could allow it to take control. The result could be a nightmarish mess for Italian politics.
With competing bids to run Italy and fierce coalition building, this election could have two possible results. One potential outcome is that coalitions will arise based on ideological similarities, meaning fringe groups would align with their mainstream counterparts.
The European Union fears that, if the fringe groups do align, it would be on the basis of frustration with the the mainstream parties. The perception of ineffectiveness could then potentially extend to include the European Union as well, possibly leading Italy to follow the path of the U.K.’s Brexit. While no single party can rule alone, the fringe groups all brought forward concerns during the election that belonged to a standing trend in Western nations. Other examples appear in the U.K. with Brexit, the U.S. with its most recent election, and France with the popularity and candidacy of Marine Le Pen.
The New York Times reports that the issues of migration, Italy’s struggling economy, and dissatisfaction with mainstream parties has led to unusual political choices and general unrest.
With 600,000 migrants streaming into Italy, many are unhappy with current immigration policies. An anti-migration mentality is starting to sweep Italy and has influenced the rise of fringe groups.
Additionally, an economic collapse in 2008 led to a slow rebound for Italy. Many are dissatisfied with the economy, especially the unemployment rate of 11 percent.
The seeming complacency of the mainstream parties complicates these issues for the public. Many Italian citizens point to institutional corruption and lack of change, inspiring them to follow extreme parties with extreme policies.
The situation leaves the nation, and the greater European community, with an uncertain future. Italy now has an unstable government with unhappy civilians. Meanwhile, the European Union is left with growing discontent in its southern regions. In addition to the issue of the hectic Italian election, The New York Times reports that there is already strife in the union, specifically in Germany and France, over disunity regarding the euro and immigration policies.
There are no plans in progress for Italy to leave the European Union, but there still exists a very real threat of losing its goodwill towards the union. Already there will be tension, no matter which combination of parties end up running Italy.
Alanna is a senior majoring in Spanish and intercultural studies.