Italian War Games: Who Really Stands to Gain From a Snap Vote?

Dispute between Salvini, Di Maio triggers election speculation
Five Star, League, State leaders all face vote dilemmas

The national flag of Italy, center left, flies along side the European Union (EU) flag from the Palazzo Chigi, the headquarters of the Italian government, in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018.
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

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By John Follain and Chiara Albanese

March 8, 2019 at 5:46 PM UTC

Updated on

March 9, 2019 at 5:00 AM UTC

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From the corridors of the Rome parliament to Milan trading floors, the war of words between rivals-turned-partners Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio has ignited speculation that Italy’s populist experiment could blow up, with an early election this year.

An online news site founded by popular TV anchor Enrico Mentana floated Friday what it called “the extreme hypothesis” -- a snap vote in late May, on the same day as elections for the European Parliament. The post said the office of President Sergio Mattarella is studying the possibility. Mattarella’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.