EU concerned that Gianfranco Fini may become foreign minister of Italy

Italy's EU partners are concerned that the far-right leader, Gianfranco Fini, may succeed Mr Renato Ruggiero, a former pro-EU foreign minister who resigned at the beginning of January. However, according to a Reuters survey among EU diplomats, Brussels excludes the possibility of isolating Italy, as it did Austria two years ago because of the participation of the extreme right in the Austrian government.

Italy’s EU partners are concerned that the far-right leader, Gianfranco Fini, may succeed Mr Renato Ruggiero, a former pro-EU foreign minister who resigned at the beginning of January. However, according to a Reuters survey among EU diplomats, Brussels excludes the possibility of isolating Italy, as it did Austria two years ago because of the participation of the extreme right in the Austrian government.