By pushing a presidential veto of Rome's proposed new government, Brussels may have secured the euro's status in Italy, for now. However, it may prove to be only a stay of execution.
As I write, a constitutional crisis has erupted in Italy after its President - who normally fulfils only a ceremonial role - refused to allow the prospective new coalition government to appoint Paolo Savona as finance minister.
Superficially, this is a ridiculous decision: Savona is a distinguished 81-year-old economist who has worked at Italy's Central Bank and Treasury, created the first model of the Italian economy, and - among numerous other honors - was a minister in a previous Italian government in 1993-94. Was his age the problem?
No, President Sergio Mattarella's problem with Savona is that he is a critic of the euro. And Mattarella's obstructionism is a problem for the prospective coalition government of the self-described anti-establishment Five Star Movement (founded by the satirist and activist Beppe Grillo) and the originally secessionist, but now federalist, Lega Nord (Northern League) - because about the only thing they have in common is opposition to the euro and the austerity policies that have come with it following the 2008 crisis.
Comment: Also recently, Poland announced it will foolishly pay out over $10 billion for the installation of the US Patriot missile system, which Russia has neutralised with the release of its own advanced weaponry:
- Putin gives grave warning to Romania and Poland against installing NATO's ABM missiles, "no one is listening"
- Poland sides with anti-Russia hysteria by expelling people who refute the West's narrative
- NATO wants Europe's civilian infrastructure ready for war
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