Populist takeover: Italy approves unprecedented coalition

By: François PICARD Follow 1 min

Italy is raising anchor and setting sail for unchartered waters, with Europe's boat rocked by an unprecedented populist coalition. President Sergio Mattarella is expected to approve law professor Giuseppe Conte as premier. The new government, led by the anti-establishment Five-Star Movement and the far-right League, is promising a flat tax, welfare payments to poor families, a pivot towards Russia and the deportation of migrants. Will this government be the kiss of death for a strong EU?