League leader Matteo Salvini
said Tuesday that an Italian government led by his anti-migrant,
Euroskeptic party would not feel obliged to respect the EU's
3%-deficit-to-GDP-ratio limit and blasted the euro as a
"mistaken currency".
"I said that we are happy to respect the 3% limit, which is
part of the rules, but if I have to find 31 billion euros to not
increase VAT and duties, then we'll contact Brussels in a serene
way to respect the Italian needs," Salvini told a press
conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
"The euro is, and remains, a mistaken currency.
"There is no way to leave alone in a sudden way. Our experts
are working on a plan B".
Salvini on Tuesday ruled out forming a government with the
centre-left Democratic Party (PD) while appearing to leave the
door open to a executive with anti-establishment 5-Star Movement
(M5S).
The centre-right coalition led by the League came top in this
month's general election, with around 37% of the vote, but the
M5S was the biggest single party with over 32%.
Neither has a majority in parliament.
The centre-left Democratic Party (PD), which led the three
governments of the last parliamentary term, is reeling after
winning under 20% of the vote.
"The programmes are very different," he said when asked about
the possibility of teaming up with the M5S.
"The centre-right coalition won. It is not self sufficient in
the Lower House and the Senate, but we certainly cannot ally
ourselves with those who have governed badly over the last few
years.
"Our aim is for a centre-right government with a centre-right
programme. Then we'll see who is up for it...
"If you have to take with you the people who were rejected in
the election to be able to govern, then I say no."
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