For sure but that does not matter, does it? The Italians have a point, the EU has no business meddling in their politics. If Italy wants out the EU they will leave, and then the UK leaves and then other EU dominoes will fall as they may.
M5s is a Populist Party, one of its rules is that no one who has been convicted of a crime can run on their party ticket. Corruption is a real part of Italian society and politics.

@cava Italy voluntarily agreed to join the EU and to abide by its joint decisions. No one outside of Italy forced Italy to make that decision.. And, yes, because of its corruption and irrational populism, Italy is having difficulty doing in living up to its commitments.

It me, Italy withdrawing now is the equivalent of the American south Seceding from the United States to bring on the Civil War.

@wordywalt That is not the way the EU works. Even Tusk said that Italy has the right to make its own choice. As I stated , I think the euro has to be radically rethought if it is going to work. I don't agree with your analogy.

@cava I probably did take the analogy too far. I apologize.