Italy: From the Heart of Europe to the ‘Good European’

Despite recent crises, concerning the Eurozone and migration, where Italy appeared isolated and disappointed by its European partners, Italy’s official EU narrative has exhibited considerable continuity over the post-war period, as this chapter shows. The traditional narrative which places Italy at the heart of Europe and Europe at the heart of Italy has been supplemented in the recent past by the portrayal of Italy as the ‘good European’, defending and supporting Europe’s true values, which others appear to have lost. This chapter illustrates the paradox with reference to contrasting views expressed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, as well as by the centre-left and right-wing governments that followed.