Italy: Towards a Future Out of War and EU Constraints

Why Italy Should Leave the EU for EFTA: Freeing Yourself from a Belligerent and Expensive Europe

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA; French: AELE; Association européenne de libre-échange) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes free trade and economic integration among its member states. The agreement establishing it was signed on 3 May 1960.

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Italy is trapped in a European Union that, between suffocating economic constraints and a militaristic drift, seems to drag the country towards an uncertain and dangerous future. The recent escalation of the EU's rearmament policy, with billions in investments in weapons and an increasingly aggressive rhetoric against Russia, evokes the ghosts of Napoleon and Hitler - two previous attempts at an offensive against Moscow that ended in historic disasters. Today, however, the risk is even greater: a nuclear war that could mark the end not only of Europe, but of civilization as we know it. In this context, leaving the EU to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) could be the way out for Italy.

Here are the disadvantages of current EU membership that EFTA would eliminate , and the steps to do so now.

Disadvantages of EU Membership and How EFTA Solves Them

1. A Dangerous Rearmament Policy

• EU disadvantage : The EU is pushing for massive rearmament, with the European Defence Fund earmarking €8 billion for 2021-2027 and proposals for a common army. Anti-Russian rhetoric, fueled by Brussels and NATO, is bringing the continent closer to a conflict that Italy does not want and cannot afford. It is the third time in history that Europe is preparing for an eastern offensive, and the previous ones – 1812 and 1941 – ended in tragedy. Now, with the global nuclear arsenal, the risk is apocalyptic.
• EFTA Advantage : EFTA, with members such as Switzerland and Norway, is neutral and does not participate in aggressive military policies. Joining would mean escaping the EU's warlike spiral, preserving Italy from involvement in a war that does not belong to it.

2. Suffocating Economic Constraints

• EU Disadvantage : The Stability and Growth Pact imposes on Italy a deficit below 3% of GDP and a decreasing public debt, despite the 2,800 billion euros of accumulated liabilities. This strangles growth (GDP stuck at +0.7% in 2024) and prevents public investments, while the net contribution to the EU budget (about 5 billion per year) drains resources.
• EFTA Advantage : EFTA has no strict fiscal rules or contributions to the common budget. Italy could introduce the “New Lira” as a parallel currency, eliminate taxes and stimulate the internal economy without the constraints of Brussels.

3. Loss of Sovereignty

• EU Disadvantage : Italy has ceded control over monetary policy to the ECB and must submit to directives that are often far from its interests, such as sanctions against Russia that damage exports and energy supplies (Russian gas covered 40% of pre-2022 needs).
• EFTA Advantage : EFTA offers access to the single market through the EEA, but leaves members full autonomy over currency, foreign trade and internal politics. Italy could negotiate bilateral agreements with Russia or China without the EU veto.

4. Bureaucracy and Political Costs

• EU Disadvantage : Italy spends billions to maintain MEPs, officials and EU structures, while decisions in Brussels are slow and often favourable to Northern countries (Germany, France), to the detriment of Southern Europe.
• EFTA Advantage : EFTA is lean, with minimal costs and no political union. Italy would save money and decide more quickly, focusing on its own interests.

5. Risk of Financial Retaliation

• EU Disadvantage : The ECB could penalize Italy (e.g. by suspending purchases of BTPs) if the country were to challenge the orthodoxy of the Eurozone, as hypothesized in the monetary reform with the “New Lira”.
• EFTA Advantage : Outside the EU, Italy would be immune to ECB retaliation, using EFTA as a shield to maintain trade relations with Europe without depending on the Euro . With the Quantitative Balancing plan, the advantages ensured would largely outweigh the possible reactions.





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How to Leave the EU and Enter EFTA: Timeline of Steps
To make the switch as soon as possible, we assume a tight plan starting on May 1, 2025 , with a complete transition in 18 months . Here are the chronological steps:


May 2025 – July 2025: Preparation (3 months)


• May 1 : The Italian government officially announces its intention to leave the EU and join EFTA, citing rearmament policy as a threat to peace.
• 15 May : Formal notification of withdrawal sent to the EU (Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty), starting exit negotiations.
• June : Contact with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to negotiate entry into EFTA. Creation of an economic task force for the “New Lira”.
• July : Parliamentary approval of the monetary reform, with the elimination of taxes and the launch of the conversion of liquidity (M2, 2,000 billion euros) into NL.
August 2025 – October 2025: Currency Conversion (3 months)


• August : Beginning of conversion of government and large business accounts into NL, with Euros still freely accepted.
• September : Conversion of PMI accounts and deposits above 100,000 Euros.
• October : Completion of the conversion for small savers. Information campaign to promote NL.
November 2025 – April 2026: Economic Transition and Negotiation (6 months)


• November : Elimination of excise duty on fuel and start of price controls on essential goods.
• December : Signing of bilateral agreements with non-EU states (e.g. Russia for gas) and with EFTA members for trade.
• January 2026 : Gradual adjustment of wages to European standards, with 10% annual increases.
• April : Finalisation of negotiations with the EU for withdrawal, with access to the EEA secured through EFTA.
May 2026 – October 2026: Exit and Consolidation (6 months)


• May 1st : Official exit from the EU, with simultaneous entry into EFTA.
• June : Parliamentary ratification of accession to EFTA and regulatory adaptation to the EEA.
• October : Stabilization of the NL, with the exchange rate left to float. Assessment of the economic and social impact.

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A Future Out of War and Constraints
Italy today pays a high price for EU membership: a rearmament policy that risks turning us into a nuclear target, an economy suffocated by abstruse rules and a sovereignty reduced to zero. EFTA offers a way out: neutrality, autonomy and access to the single market without the burden of Brussels. Sure, there will be challenges – the loss of EU funds and initial instability – but the cost of staying could be infinitely higher: a war we do not want and cannot win. It is time to choose peace and freedom.