Italy’s Five Star Ready to Cave In Over Alpine Rail Tunnel
- Populists to give green light this month, people familiar say
- Five Star party says still against project, Conte to decide
The entrance to the high-speed rail tunnel, known as TAV, through the Alps to France sits beneath a bridge in Val di Susa.
Photographer: Giulio Napolitano/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Italy is preparing to commit itself to completing the TAV high-speed rail project through the Alps to France, in a sudden about-face by long-time opponent the Five Star Movement, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The green light later this month for the multi-billion-euro plan could further undermine anti-establishment Five Star -- led by Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio -- which already suffered a defeat in May 26 European parliamentary vote. The rightist League of fellow Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, which backs the link, became the country’s biggest party in that vote.