● Italy’s Draft Budgetary Plan for 2019 does not plan to decrease the country’s public debt, which stands at more than 130% of gross domestic product in 2018, far above the 60% limit which European Union rules require.

● The European Commission has warned the Italian government that it is breaching European Union rules over its growing public debt. Understand the timeline of the European Commission’s disciplinary procedure over Italy’s debt.

● Italy’s “Five Star Movement” is the political party in power, standing for populist platforms like anti-immigration and anti-European Union.

● Education rates in Italy are lower than its European counterparts, including university-level education for young adults, according to 2014 research by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development. This can contribute to lower rates of employment.

● The Human Rights Watch has reported on a dangerous increase in populism throughout the world and warns against this rise going unchecked.