Despite market tensions, Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti, like Berlusconi, "is not indispensable" to Italy. This is what we read today in an article in the Financial Times. Of course, in this moment of uncertainty and tension on the European markets it is not advisable to "unload the Minister of Economy" but the country could do without him.
Criticisms are raised on the mystery of the cash payment of the rent to the former collaborator Marco Milanese of the Campo Marzio house. The newspaper wonders why the payment should be made in cash, rather than by check or wire transfer. Although the minister reiterates that there is nothing irregular, the FT, recalling the 48 billion maneuver approved a few months ago, underlines that Italians should expect more coherent behavior from a minister who "increases their taxes". It is none conceivable that Tremonti does not know the "role that cash payments play in perpetuating the chronic disease of tax evasion in Italy."
Furthermore, Mr Tremonti, together with Berlusconi, should set himself the primary objective of increasing the country's productivity, even if this means making more unpopular reforms. Also because now, according to the Ft, "domestic demand will probably be frozen by a tightening of the tax burden and the increase in interest on bonds" and reforms will be more than necessary.
