Italian Lawmakers Reject Bailout Fund Proposal in Blow to EU

Lower house vote drags out a clash with partners in the bloc
Dispute over ratification is isolating Italy in European Union

Giorgia Meloni
Photographer: Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg

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By Alessandra Migliaccio and Flavia Rotondi

December 21, 2023 at 9:57 AM UTC

Updated on

December 21, 2023 at 12:56 PM UTC

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Italy’s parliament rejected ratification of a European Union bailout fund, dragging out a populist clash with partners in the bloc that is isolating Italy.

Lawmakers of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, as well as of coalition partner the League, voted Thursday against ratification of reforms to the European Stability Mechanism. The center-right Forza Italia, the junior coalition partner, abstained. The lower house rejected ratification by 184 votes to 72.