Nicholas Farrell

Do Russians support Putin’s war?

5 March 2022 10:30 pm

Everyone is calling the conflict in Ukraine Putin’s war and insisting that it has nothing to do with the Russians…

The pointless tyranny of Italy’s Covid pass

20 February 2022 6:25 pm

While most European countries, especially Britain, are relaxing their Covid restrictions, Italy which has the toughest of the lot, this…

Are wolves stalking us on the school run?

5 February 2022 9:00 am

Italy’s wolves are on the march

Sergio Mattarella is Italy's captive president

31 January 2022 9:20 pm

Ah, those Italians! Italy’s parliament spent last week trying and failing to elect a new president in seven secret ballots.…

Mario Draghi and the murky quest to find Italy’s next president

27 January 2022 6:12 am

In ancient Rome, a diviner called a haruspex would observe the entrails of sacrificed sheep and poultry, especially their livers,…

Can anyone beat Berlusconi to the Italian presidency?

15 January 2022 9:00 am

Can Berlusconi become Italy’s next president?

Why is Bilbo Baggins a fascist favourite?

8 January 2022 6:00 pm

If you were asked to think of a perfect fascist, never in a month of Sundays would you suggest Bilbo Baggins…

Why are Europe’s far-right parties so opposed to compulsory vaccination?

27 November 2021 9:00 am

Why are Europe’s fascists so opposed to compulsory vaccination?

Reports of the demise of Italian populism are greatly exaggerated

9 October 2021 1:23 pm

Britain’s newspapers have called the results of the local elections in Italy the death of populism. The Times, for example,…

Italy’s draconian vaccine laws are terrifyingly popular

18 September 2021 11:24 pm

In early August, Italy banned the unvaccinated from most forms of social life, then most forms of travel and now…

Italy, the ‘far right’ and the muted opposition to vaccine passes

4 August 2021 3:01 am

Dante’s Beach, Ravenna Here is your starter for ten. Which Italian political party believes that individual liberty is sacred? Answer:…

The Italians are deluding themselves about the English

17 July 2021 4:00 pm

Not content with winning Euro 2020, many Italians have spent the days since the final engaged in a febrile orgy…

The challenges of being an England supporter in Italy

17 July 2021 9:00 am

  Dante’s Beach, Ravenna My fiery Italian wife Carla is not just a passionate patriot but also a devout Catholic, and…

England, Italy and the power of national pride

11 July 2021 7:23 pm

As an Englishman in enemy territory I am lucky that love is a more powerful emotion than patriotism otherwise after…

Can Italy's arch Eurocrat save his country?

21 February 2021 8:00 pm

The world these days is so blasè about the destruction of democracy that no one even thinks it worthy of…

In Italy, the novelty of house arrest has worn off

21 March 2020 9:00 am

Life has been turned upside down

Life under lockdown: Italy is being consumed by panic

14 March 2020 9:00 am

Italy is being consumed by panic

Italians believe the coronavirus outbreak shows their superiority

7 March 2020 9:00 am

During times of contagion, you begin to understand why fascist salutes were once so popular. The foot-tap is replacing the…

Will Italy’s warring politicians succeed in shutting Salvini out of power?

21 August 2019 6:24 am

What now looks like a distinct possibility in Italy after today’s resignation of Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte is a…

The secret of Matteo Salvini’s success

17 August 2019 9:00 am

Last summer, when Italy became the first major European country to get a populist government, Steve Bannon was cock-a-hoop. The…

It may seem incredible, but I’d trust an Italian over a Frenchman any day

9 March 2019 9:00 am

For a few years before coming to Italy, I lived in Paris and I cannot tell you the life-enhancing difference…

The Italian crisis

1 December 2018 9:00 am

For those who believe in the European project, Brexit is a headache. Italy, on the other hand, is a bloody…

Will Italy become the first country to fall to populism?

19 May 2018 9:00 am

It looks indeed as if Italy — the beating pulse of European civilisation — will be the first country in…

Steve Bannon interview: “I’m fascinated by Mussolini”

17 March 2018 9:00 am

We are in a hotel suite at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Zurich when Stephen K. Bannon tells me he adores…

Italians aren’t fascists. They’re angry about immigration

3 March 2018 9:00 am

 Ravenna Amid relentless propaganda about Italy being in the grip of fascism, Italians go to the polls on Sunday. It…