Why Italy and France are each other's closest sister nation..

[Berlko2]

France is definetily not more right-leaning than Italy. Just take a look at opinion polls about the attitude of the French and Italians towards immigration, Islam, interracial marriage, etc. Italy is MUCH more conservative, being the most religiuos country in western Europe (along with Ireland). The italian version of the Front National has been in coalition government for several years and their chances of forming the next coalition government are high.

[MinervaItalica]

They had many relations during history also.

Our flag comes from the French Revolutionary Wars. France gave some rulers to Italy and Italy gave some rulers in France. Napoleon is of Italian origins.

I wouldn't say we are very similar but saying we are completely different would be a bullshit, we indeed have some things in common (both also being Latin nations and French being an Italic/Romance language). We also have rivalries such with food (wine especially).

[crazyladybutterfly]

Hey, this is interesting.
There might be some reasons for which you feel somewhat closer to the UK than to Continental Europe, you know.
After all they speak a handsome American dialect in the Blessed Isle.
The UK is a lovely country I love to visit when I'm given the opportunity to, but I can't say I'm impressed. In term of GDP-PPO they are just level with us, though they have more work hours than ours, probably due to lower productivity.
In short, I don't find any reason to suppose their social/economic model is superior to ours.

and like them you have a issue with terrorism far greater than any other european country,

[Peterski]

Sikeliot - France is probably closer to Britain than to Germany.

[Jana]

My impression has always been that Italy is much more Catholic than France. And historically speaking, it makes perfect sense.
It's just a detail, but quite important one to highlight the differences.

I see French member has France under religion section. Very French, very expected

[Petalpusher]

They both are wine drinkers. Plus, they both have a rich northerner region and poorer southern region.

You can't be more wrong than this



PIB/habitant
Ile-de-France
51.420
Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne
29.900
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
28.400
Pays-de-la-Loire
27.300
Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne-Ardenne
26.700

Besides IDF which is of course very rich because of Paris, the southeast actually have the wealthiest regions, though its in general relatively well spread elsewhere and in any direction not anywhere near the disparity of Italy. The regions that are somewhat looked down or let's say just teased, are the northeners (Chti) and Marseillais, but Marseille is almost like a different country, even for other southeasterners.

Now i wouldnt say it's a cultural shock like Ouistreham, there are obvious differences but it's less of a shock than other neighbour countries and many cultural aspects where we can understand and appreciate each others.

[wvwvw]

Two similarities that come to mind:

Their flags look similar
The Renaissance begun in these two countries

[Dandelion]

As for on-topic. France and Italy are friendly rivals who are in an eternal battle over who is the most stylish. That's the stereotype us foreigners have about both countries' relationship with each other.

[Ouistreham]

France is definetily not more right-leaning than Italy. Just take a look at opinion polls about the attitude of the French and Italians towards immigration, Islam, interracial marriage, etc.

Italy is (along with Germany, Sweden and the UK) among the least migrant-unfriendly nations in Western Europe.
You want an opinion poll?

The figures for Spain are appalling...

[JohnSmith]

Keep in mind that the term "protectionist" really doesn't apply that much among EU members anymore. Germany, the UK, Italy and France all have the same policy on trade and that is the EU trade policy. If you take a look at the economic indices, you will see all EU members have the same score on trade freedom and that is 'cos of common trade policy.

You're right about your intuition regarding Italy and France. Regardless of what the French user says, Italy and France are similar in economic freedoms overall (in fact, France has tougher labour laws than Italy if u look at their scores). Both somewhat low on the list btw, numbers 72 for France and 79 for Italy (as opposed to numbers 12 and 17 for the UK and the US respectively).

Btw the British are dominating u in economic freedoms and if Trump is serious about trade and so on, it's downhill from here. RIP American liberty.

Each country still will show there own protectionist attitudes at times the EU is not really able to stop all of this.

Look what Macron stopped the sale of a French Shipyard to Italy.

Macron nationalises shipyard to prevent Italian acquisition

https://www.theguardian.com/business...mmanuel-macron

The UK still has many problems their healthcare system is the worst in Western Europe among their life expectancy is not that great.