Basic income 'appreciated by Germany' - M5S

(ANSA) - Rome, October 4 - German European Affairs Minister Michael Roth on Thursday voiced his appreciation for the government's planned basic income, the House EU policy committee chair Sergio Battelli, a member of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) whose flagship policy it is, told reporters.
    Roth, Battelli said, "in front of the EU policy committees said he was absolutely in favour of an expansionary measure like the basic income, aware of the fact that austerity budgets have been a failure".
    The basic income, 780 euros a month, is aimed at getting people into work, or back into it.
    M5S leader Luigi Di Maio says it will also help stoke growth.
    photo: Roth (L) with Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi