Italy

“Italy’s government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte risks collapsing in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic after a junior coalition partner pulled out.” – by Chiara Albanese and John Follain

“With global financial markets awash in cheap credit, Italy is issuing zero-interest bonds and hoping that it can somehow avoid fiscal calamity.” – by Desmond Lachman

“A center-right coalition led by Matteo Salvini, once Italy’s most powerful politician, won three key regions but fell short in Tuscany, where victory could have bolstered his comeback bid.” – by Gaia Pianigiani

When the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) initially struck Wuhan, China in January 2020, most investors in Europe did not expect the disease to reach the continent. Yet here we are; a seemingly innocuous holiday stop in the French Alps by a Brit returning home from a conference in Singapore has morphed into a full-scale virus outbreak […]

“What is not clear is who will be doing the buying. By snapping up the healthiest second-tier lender, Intesa has removed the candidate slated to lead long-awaited deals between the handful of mid-market players which are most at risk from the threats facing the sector.” – by Valentina Za

“Italy will bring thousands of kilometres of roads back under state control after the powerful Benetton family agreed to give up its stake in Atlantia’s motorway unit to avoid the threatened cancellation of its lucrative operating concession.” – by Francesca Landini and Giuseppe Fonte  

“As many bankers fled Italy’s financial capital for second homes in the mountains or lakes at the start of a coronavirus lockdown in March, Victor Massiah rushed instead to rent a house within walking distance of UBI Banca’s Milan offices.” – by Andrea Mandala, Valentina Za and Pamela Barbaglia

“Del Vecchio’s holding company Delfin said it had filed the request to increase its Mediobanca holding above 10% and up to 20% with the Bank of Italy on May 29, adding that the authorisation process usually takes up to 60 days.” – by Claudia Cristoferi

“The speed at which the economy bounces back will then hinge on whether consumers are more reluctant to consume and businesses hold back on investment. From today’s perspective, it looks in any case unlikely that economic activity will return to its pre-crisis level before 2021, if not later.” – Luis Doncel

“As coronavirus cuts a swath of economic destruction across Europe, pushing the already-strained budgets of southern countries to the brink, calls are getting louder for the eurozone to intervene by issuing debt backed by all members.” – by Silvia Borrelli and Matthew Karnitschnig