'Allow countries to exceed 3% debt-to-GDP' says Berlusconi

(see related) (ANSA) - Rome, April 17 - Former center-right premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday that the EU fiscal compact, which imposes budget discipline on member States whose deficits become too high, is anti-historical.
    "The recession has turned into a depression, and not just in Italy", the media magnate said. "I am convinced we must scrap the fiscal compact and let countries exceed the 3% debt-to-GDP ratio" required under EU treaties that Italy is a signatory to.
    "Given the current economic situation, such binding rules are anti-historical".