Luigi Di Maio, Italy's deputy premier, slammed the European Commission for advancing the infringement process against his country. Speaking on Thursday to Radio Anch'io, he vowed not to lower funding for social services "in times of European crisis" like he said "was done in the past." The government has no intention of amending the budget to comply with the demands from Brussels, according to the leader of the ruling Five Star Movement. However, he also said the cabinet is willing to negotiate with the European Union's executive arm to bring about change.
The bloc's austerity standards are unacceptable, Di Maio stressed. He went on to claim the platform includes measures against the evasion of taxes and for making labor costs lower. The deputy prime minister said the sanctions procedure should be discontinued and that investment plans mustn't be rolled back. Talks with the EU must go through the national parliament, he added.
More to come...
