Italy has just delivered a stinging rebuke to its government, and opened the way for populist forces who have pledged a referendum on the country's eurozone membership. If the eurozone’s breakdown is to be avoided, it urgently needs an economic boost – one that US President-elect Donald Trump may just deliver.
BRUSSELS – Europe has just endured two more difficult tests. While Austrian voters rejected the possibility of the European Union getting its first far-right head of state, Italians delivered a stinging rebuke to their government – and opened the way for populist forces to come to power. Add to that a Brexit that has yet to unfold and the eurozone’s still-lackluster economic performance, and the survival of the common currency is far from guaranteed.
BRUSSELS – Europe has just endured two more difficult tests. While Austrian voters rejected the possibility of the European Union getting its first far-right head of state, Italians delivered a stinging rebuke to their government – and opened the way for populist forces to come to power. Add to that a Brexit that has yet to unfold and the eurozone’s still-lackluster economic performance, and the survival of the common currency is far from guaranteed.