“The problems we have faced in recent weeks are a consequence of a crisis of confidence on the international markets due to the thrust of speculation and the uncertainties about the euro. But our country has a solid political system, which has shown itself capable, with the responsible help of the opposition, of approving the budget package in three days". Now we need to focus "on growth, the essential objective". With these words Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi opened his speech to the Chamber on the financial crisis that has been strangling the Italian market for weeks. Initially the Cavaliere's speech was scheduled for the early afternoon, but at a later stage it was decided to postpone the call to 17 pm, immediately after the closing of the Stock Exchanges. At 30 pm a second speech by the head of government is expected, this time in the Senate.
"We have solid economic fundamentals and our banks are liquid, solvent - continued Berlusconi - and have fully passed the stress tests. They are well capitalized and absolutely capable of supporting the recovery of the economy”. As for families, “ours have few debts in relation to GDP and enjoy high financial wealth in international comparison. Even the debts of companies are absolutely contained compared to their turnover”. Furthermore, in July, “there was a 28,8% decrease in layoffs. The desire to do business has not diminished”.
The premier then returned to the provision approved in mid-July, reiterating that “Europe and international observers have judged the maneuver positively. This morning Junker and Rehn confirmed to Minister Tremonti their appreciation I myself had a long phone call with Van Rampuy, who confirmed his support”. Berlusconi then recalled his words of confidence in the Italian economy this morning by the President of the European CommissionJose Manuel Barroso.
"We haven't done a little but we know for sure that there is still a lot to do," Berlusconi underlined again. We need to "insist on the spending review and free up new resources for businesses". It is therefore essential “to define a tax system that is more favorable to households and businesses. But growth is the essential objective”. In this sense, the prime minister gave the ok to the reform of the workers' statute and recalled that "this morning the Cipe allocated 7 billion for about 130 interventions that will relaunch the economy of the South".
The premier then anticipated the topics he will discuss in tomorrow's meeting with the social partners: "The management of the measures established with the maneuver, infrastructure investments, the role of banks and industrial relations in the private and public sectors ”.
Finally, a wink at Colle: "I accept with conviction the invitation to national cohesion launched several times by President Giorgio Napolitano", because political stability has "always been the weapon against speculation". The Knight also recalled that he is "an entrepreneur with three companies on the stock exchange", also "in the trenches" like the others in the economic and financial world.
