Renzi says austerity crazy (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, July 28 - 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".