EU referendum in Italy is not an option, says euroskeptic M5S party leader

by Dramelin 6:00 AM 0 comments

The leader of the 5-Star Movement (M5S), a euroskeptic, populist party that`s doing well in Italian polls ahead of an upcoming general election, has ruled out having a referendum in Italy on membership of the European Union (EU).
"We need to renegotiate some EU rules, but not in an in/out referendum," he said, noting that the U.
`s decision to leave the EU had "weakened" the bloc.
The 5-Star Movement has repeatedly stated in the past that it would like to hold a referendum on euro zone membership and new leader Di Maio has echoed that perspective as recently as December.
As the election on March 4 approaches, however, he appeared to have changed his mind.
When asked Wednesday if a M5S-led government would hold a vote on euro zone membership, Di Maio said he "wouldn`t even contemplate that last resort.
" "Germany, France Spain are renegotiating some of the EU rules.
This is the time to make some deficit, to make investments and relaunch the Italian economy.
I don`t want to even consider that last resort," he said.