Premier Matteo Renzi said Friday that Italy's main request for the European Union was not flexibility in the application of budget rules but that the bloc moves to change direction after years of austerity. "Italy is not asking for flexibility from Europe," Renzi told a news conference after meeting European Parliament President Martin Schulz. "It is showing its willingness to help in the knowledge that perhaps we must reflect together on the economic policy of recent years. Europe must move together, but it must move.
"Flexibility in Europe already exists," he added. Renzi has repeatedly called on the EU to focus more on fostering growth and jobs and less on the application of its rules, including budget ones. There has been tension between Rome and Brussels in recent weeks over several months, including budget flexibility.
A European Commission spokesperson said Friday that EC President Jean-Claude Juncker had not spoken to La Repubblica after the Rome-based daily quoted Juncker as saying he was not willing to grant any extra budget flexibility to Italy.
"We are not aware of any statements given to Repubblica by Juncker," the spokesperson said. "Juncker speaks directly to Renzi". The spokesperson reiterated that the Commission will say in spring whether it has granted Italy's request for budget flexibility for spending on the refugee crisis.
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