While seen as a victory for right-wing populism, Italy’s 2018 general election in March ended with a hung parliament in which Matteo Salvini’s Lega Nord, the Five Star Movement led by Luigi Di Maio, and the center-left coalition led by Matteo Renzi shared power. Issues surrounding cabinet picks, however, meant that the government was not formed until May 31st when Giuseppe Conte was chosen to be Italy’s Prime Minister with support from the Five Star Movement. Faced with rising debt and persistent economic problems, the newly formed Italian government is now confronted by further issues including a series of scandals and disagreements on policy direction. On August 9, 2019, the Lega Nord party officially filed for a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Conte after months of parliamentary gridlock. Now the Italian government could face collapse as Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini calls for new elections.
