BRUSSELS: Italy risks a rude awakening in the race for top European Union jobs as it faces growing isolation after eurosceptic nationalists in its ruling coalition won big in last week's European Parliament elections.
The executive European Commission will send a letter on Wednesday to the Italian government asking for clarifications on its expanding debt, an EU official said. For a change to the ECB's mandate, the backing of all 28 EU leaders is needed - a tough task for a eurosceptic government with few friends in Brussels, an EU official said.
"Italy is isolated. When you shout, scream and insult, then you remain alone and results are very modest," said Antonio Tajani, the centre-right Italian president of the EU parliament - another top job up for grabs following the election.