H.E. Cristiano Maggipinto, Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia

12-Mar-18 10:18

This year's Italian election marked the defeat of the centre-left government and the rise of the Eurosceptic centre-right coalition headed by the Lega Nord and the Five Star Movement. Appealing to very different demographics, the two leading parties are seen as unlikely coalition partners - one pushing for tax cuts and the other pushing for massive public spending. With significant levels of debt, observers note that the challenge for Italian parties is to commit to sustainable public finances - which their European partners will want - while getting voters to support them.

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan