| | In December 2018, Conte stated that "if populism means giving sovereignty back to the people, we are proud to call ourselves populists."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (December 11, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/11/italys-giuseppe-conte-we-are-proud-to-call-ourselves-populists/ Italy’s Giuseppe Conte: We Are ‘Proud to Call Ourselves Populists’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 11, 2018.</ref> He also made statements critical of the [[European Union]].<ref>Friedman, Victoria (February 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/13/verhofstadt-roll-calls-italian-president-puppet-populists/ Verhofstadt on a Roll, Calls Italian President ‘Puppet’ of Populists]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.</ref> | | In December 2018, Conte stated that "if populism means giving sovereignty back to the people, we are proud to call ourselves populists."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (December 11, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/11/italys-giuseppe-conte-we-are-proud-to-call-ourselves-populists/ Italy’s Giuseppe Conte: We Are ‘Proud to Call Ourselves Populists’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 11, 2018.</ref> He also made statements critical of the [[European Union]].<ref>Friedman, Victoria (February 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/13/verhofstadt-roll-calls-italian-president-puppet-populists/ Verhofstadt on a Roll, Calls Italian President ‘Puppet’ of Populists]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.</ref> |
| | + | Conte moved to have Italy join China's Belt and Road Initiative, something supported by the M5S, though the League opposed the action.<ref>[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/italy-china-sign-accord-deepening-economic-ties Italy, China sign accord deepening economic ties]. ''Washington Examiner'' (from the ''Associated Press''). March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.</ref> |