End of the EU Italian election sparks forecasts EU project on verge of ‘falling to pieces’

The sparked fears in the ‘s higher echelons as it resulted in two heavily eurosceptic coming up on top.

The Five Star Movement (M5S) became the largest single party in Italy with 32.1 percent of the vote while the centre-right coalition led by the Lega gained 37 percent of votes.

Political scientist Matteo Scotto suggested the Italian election was further proof the European project was slowly “falling to pieces” because of the inability to unite member states.

Mr Scotto said: “We just need to look at the two-speed Europe – look at two member states: Germany and France – that’s becoming a reality, with an adverse and excluded western-central Europe, an indifferent northern Europe and a forgotten southern Europe.

“What remains of Europe is sterile echoes of calls to order, bloated by a misunderstood and badly distributed economic success. What remains is a mere Union of states – if we can still talk about a union – which either cooperates if and when all interests are taken care of or proceeds, legitimately, by other means becoming smaller still.”

The success of the M5S and the Lega falls in line with surveys showing an increased shift in the views of Italians towards the EU and its institutions.

The Eurobarometer poll conducted by the EU itself at the end of last year highlighted a dramatic shift in the views of Italians.

Under 60 percent supported the retention of the status quo, making Italy one of the most Eurosceptic countries in the trade bloc.

Writing on Il Foglio, Mr Scotto continued: “The last Brussels institution symbolising an elusive form of European democracy, the European Parliament, is falling to pieces so much so that its presidents – two in the last few months – did not miss the chance to return to their own countries as soon as they were called.

“This, whether we want it or not, is what remains of Europe and probably the highest peak we could reach in the current historical context.”

Professor Mario Telò from Luiss University told Euronews the Italian election could lead to increased popularity of populist movements in other member states unless France and Germany put pressure on Brussels to reform.

Prof Telò said: “It is crucial that in a short time the Franco-German couple is proposing a reform of the Eurozone, capable of reviving a growth policy and avoiding future crises. And according to the review of the European immigration policy, beyond the Dublin agreements

“We don’t underestimate the fact that, for the Franco-German couple and for the more reasonable forces at the centre of Europe, this could be an opportunity not to be missed to avoid similar phenomena which will reproduce in a short time in France and Germany.”

A recent study revealed 51 percent of Italians would be in favour of leaving the EU – with young citizens holding the worst opinion about the impact of the EU on their country.

Political commentators link the emergence of anti-EU election slogans with the lack of support from Brussels during the height of the migrant crisis in 2016.