Italy - DER SPIEGEL

Prostitution in Sicily The Good Sister of Highway SS385

Many women who flee Nigeria for Europe fall into the clutches of human traffickers and are forced to work as prostitutes. A road in Sicily has become a symbol of their plight, and a local nun is trying to help them. By Maria Stöhr and Maria Feck (Photos) in Sicily

The Good Sister of Highway SS385 - Alessandro Puglia

The Right Wing in Italy Matteo Salvini Plots Return to the Top

It was just a couple of months ago that Matteo Salvini tripped over his ego and crashed out of the Italian government. But his right-wing populist Lega party is making a rapid comeback. Von Frank Hornig

Matteo Salvini Plots Return to the Top - Caimi & Piccinni/ Redux/ laif

A .38-Caliber Rosary The Dangerous New Face of Salvini's Italy

Shots fired at foreigners, assaults on minorities, neo-fascist marches: Italy's extreme right wing feels emboldened by the country's new leadership. Many are pointing fingers at Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. But is he to blame? Von Walter Mayr

The Dangerous New Face of Salvini's Italy - Paolo Marchetti / DER SPIEGEL

Distressed Are Ships in the Med Ignoring Refugees in Distress?

Migrants are still trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. But ever since Italy has closed its ports to ships that have saved refugees from the waves, there are indications that some captains have grown more willing to sail on by without helping. Von Raphael Thelen

Are Ships in the Med Ignoring Refugees in Distress? - Alamy/ mauritius images

Weaponized Debt Italy Doubles Down on Threat to Euro Stability

Fears are growing that the euro crisis may soon return. Italy could spark a chain reaction if it doesn't yield to the European Union's demand that it rein in its planned deficit spending. Concern is rising in Brussels and on the financial markets. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Italy Doubles Down on Threat to Euro Stability - Filippo Monteforte/ AFP

Interview with Italian Vintner Antinori 'Italian Wines Are Drunk, Not Collected'

Albiera Antinori is head of the centuries-old Italian vintner of the same name. In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, she speaks of the flood of cheap wine, new buying habits in China and the populist government in Rome. Von Isabell Hülsen und Susanne Amann

'Italian Wines Are Drunk, Not Collected' - Gianmarco Maraviglia / DER SPIEGEL

Untethered in Italy Salvini Pushes Country to the Precipice

With the approval of his partners in government, Italy's Matteo Salvini is lambasting the EU, foreigners and the press while at the same time quoting a fascist dictator. A tragedy with potentially wide-reaching consequences is unfolding at the heart of Europe. Von Walter Mayr

Salvini Pushes Country to the Precipice - REUTERS

Italian Interior Minister Salvini 'Within a Year, We'll See if a United Europe Still Exists'

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini wants to prevent any more migrants from coming to Italy and is skeptical of Chancellor Angela Merkel's efforts to come up with a joint European solution. DER SPIEGEL spoke with him in Rome. Von Walter Mayr

'Within a Year, We'll See if a United Europe Still Exists' - Karl Mancini / DER SPIEGEL

'We Cannot Be Stopped' Merkel's Toughest Adversary in Europe

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is a populist and a firebrand, but also a fearless tactician. His hardline approach to migration threatens not only Angela Merkel's tenure as chancellor, but also the entire EU. Von Walter Mayr

Merkel's Toughest Adversary in Europe - REUTERS

Fixing the Euro The Time to Act Is Now

Italy can only manage its current crisis with German help. And Germany needs Italy to keep Europe stable. While there is no simple solution, a new form of assistance could help. Von Henrik Enderlein

Crisis Redux Italy Sends a Jolt Through Europe

Euro-skeptic Italian populists are posing a serious threat to the European Union. Following the drama over Greece and Brexit, the political situation in Rome could throw Europe into its next major existential crisis. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Italy Sends a Jolt Through Europe - Fabio Itri / DER SPIEGEL

ECB Vice President Constâncio 'Italy Knows the Rules'

In an interview, outgoing European Central Bank Vice President Vítor Constâncio issues a timely reminder that ECB assistance is tied to conditions, but insists the eurozone is in good shape despite the problems in Italy. Von Henning Jauernig und Stefan Kaiser

Italian President Mattarella The Man Who Wouldn't Yield

Rather than handing the reins of power to anti-EU populists, Italy's president has paved the way for snap elections. Who is Sergio Mattarella? Von Hans-Jürgen Schlamp

The Man Who Wouldn't Yield - imago/ Insidefoto

Will Populists Stall Europe? Italy's New Goverment Is Bad News for the Euro

Two populist parties are set to take over the government reins in Italy and about the only thing they seem to agree on is their desire to spend huge amounts of money. That's bad news for Italian finances and terrible news for the eurozone. By DER SPIEGEL Staff

Italy's New Goverment Is Bad News for the Euro - Angelo Carconi / REX / Shutterstock

Roman Reality Check Italian Trumpism Is No Less Dangerous than the Original

Members of the European Union need to send a clear message to the new Italian government: We will not allow you to destroy the eurozone. Von Michael Sauga

Italian Trumpism Is No Less Dangerous than the Original - AP

Italy's Strange Campaign Berlusconi, Five Star and the Road to Political Gridlock

A disillusioned electorate, multi-billion-euro campaign promises and the return of Silvio Berlusconi: Italy is muddling its way through a strange election campaign with an uncertain outcome. The consequences for Europe could be significant. Von Walter Mayr

Berlusconi, Five Star and the Road to Political Gridlock - Angelo Carconi/ REX/ Shutterstock

Jihad on the Mediterranean? 'I Heard Their Screams, and Then They Were Gone'

Seven Muslim refugees from Africa were recently convicted in Italy of throwing Christians from a dinghy on the journey across the Mediterranean. Prosecutors say it was a crime of faith. But was it? Von Fiona Ehlers

'I Heard Their Screams, and Then They Were Gone' - REUTERS

Paradise Looted How Sicily Became Ungovernable

Italy's poorest region, Sicily, is the country's problem child. Now it has elected a new government. To fix the island, it will have to overcome corruption and widespread Mafia control - and figure out how to convince its population not to leave. Von Walter Mayr

Where Dreams Come to Die Migrant Path in Europe Ends at Brenner Pass

Migrants who make it across the Mediterranean to Italy dream of continuing on to northern Europe. Most, though, are unable to make it past the Brenner Pass. A visit to Europe's waiting room. Von Fiona Ehlers

Migrant Path in Europe Ends at Brenner Pass - Gianmarco Maraviglia / DER SPIEGEL

The Deadly Mediterranean Route EU Seeks to Ward Off New Refugee Crisis

The number of migrants crossing the dangerous Mediterranean route has risen significantly since the beginning of the year. European officials fear the situation could further deteriorate. So far, though, Brussels hasn't been able to agree on a solution. Von Christiane Hoffmann, Walter Mayr, Peter Müller, Christoph Schult und Wolf Wiedmann-Schmidt