EU downfall? 'Italy is the downside' Expert warns of ITALEXIT amid rise of anti-EU parties скачать в хорошем качестве

EU downfall? 'Italy is the downside' Expert warns of ITALEXIT amid rise of anti-EU parties

Author of Banker to the World, Bill Rhodes, said an EU referendum could be called in Italy following the result of the next Italian general election.Speaking to Bloomberg, Mr Rhodes said Italy is the “dark side” of the eurozone at a time where Angela Merkel uncertain position is affecting the bloc’s geopolitical stability.He said: “The Italian banking system, which has made some progress over the last year and a half, still has major problems with the non-performing. An Italian Brexit is always a possibility depending on which party wins Bill Rhodes “So I think that in addition to anything else with a mixture of high unemployment, you have a banking system that’s very fragile in the country.“And if you have a situation wherein the election is not clear who the winners are and they try to put together a coalition government that does not function, then you could have real problems perhaps in spreading a difficult scenario. “Let’s remember Germany has its own problems today and they were the leader in the sense of the weakness in both of the parties in the coalition. “The one bright spot I would say in the eurozone today, apart from Ireland, is France because of Macron, and that to me is the guiding light of what can happen. “Italy is the dark side of it, the downside if this election does not come out with a clear winner. “There is a possibility they could even call a referendum. “In other words an Italian Brexit. It’s always a possibility depending on which party wins.”On Friday, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni sought to reassure German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the looming predictions putting eurosceptic Lega leader Matteo Salvini ahead of the polls.Mr Gentiloni said he was “certain Italy would have a stable government not dominated by populists and eurosceptics” and that the only pro-EU possible outcome of the election would be the victory of his centre-left party the Democratic Party. Related articles Italian election: 'I am an EXTREMIST!' Frontrunner vows to fight EU Italy election LATEST: Berlusconi tipped for shock return Italian election: Gentiloni vows Italy won't have anti-EU government