Premier Matteo Renzi said
Thursday that austerity was crazy and the European Union needed
to move in a new direction that puts emphasis on public
investment as an engine for growth and job creation.
"By putting things right in Italy we give a clear
direction to the EU," Renzi said as he inaugurated the new
'Guadrilatero' highway infrastructure at Colfiorito in the
central region of Umbria.
"Today isn't just the inauguration of a raid. Italy is
leaving behind things that were left half done and it can go to
Europe and say that it's necessary to invest more in
infrastructure and end the austerity that cut investments.
"It's necessary to accept that this was cultural madness,
more than economic madness".
Earlier on Thursday Renzi said that he had never claimed
everything was fine under him but added that his government was
working hard to improve Italy's situation.
"I don't say everything is going well," he said as he
visited a plant for Italian swimwear company Arena at Tolentino,
near Macerata, in the Marche region.
"I say that if each of us does their bit, things can get
better.
"And you at Arena, are a symbol and a signal at the global
level.
"This is what Italy needs, for everyone to do their bit
and believe in it".
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