"I am slightly concerned that the Italian economy continues to regress and I hope that the Italian authorities will make additional efforts to keep Italian growth alive." These are the words spoken by the number one of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, at the end of this morning's face-to-face meeting at Palazzo Chigi with the Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte.
“Our measures are expansive and responsible – replied the head of the Italian government – We talked about the Def: the fiscal framework has not changed compared to the scenario agreed last December. The slowdown is recognized as transitory by European rules. The government had foreseen a slowdown in public debt, and for this reason it has elaborated a maneuver which aims to pursue an expansive but responsible policy, approving measures which the country has needed for too many years to re-establish social equity. During the week we are confident of approving the growth decree with measures capable of boosting both actual and potential growth". Today the text arrives in pre-council of ministers, while the official decision of the government should arrive on Thursday.
Returning to the meeting between Conte and Juncker, as if to sweeten the pill, the Luxembourger added that "there is great love between Italy and the EU Commission, we must tell all Italian ministers". In reality, these words sound more like a dig at the two ministers and deputy prime ministers, Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio, who have never spared criticism of Brussels (and Juncker above all).
In reality, the last target of the pentastellato leader was Angel Gurria: "Let them do austerity at home", commented Di Maio after the rejection of Italian economic policy by the number one of the OECD.
Conte and Juncker also spoke of Tav. The Premier reiterated the need for "additional reflection" and a new confrontation with France and the European Union. Juncker replied that “Turin-Lyon is not an ideological project, it is a technical project. We have agreed that the ministers of Italy and France talk to each other and then with the EU commissioner to see what solution can be found. I'll leave it up to the French and Italians to find an agreement."
