Opinion surveys are unanimous in showing that Italians' trust in the European Union has declined over the last three decades. Europe has become a problematic topic. Italy is therefore characterized in public discourse as a losing country, in populist terminology a "victim" of the European institutional framework and policies. This interpretation has solidified in the confrontation between political parties, has been integrated into the clash between partisan positions in the parliamentary sphere and has produced a consistent current of stances against further European integration and even in favor of Italy’s exit from the euro.

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