We must defeat fear - Di Maio

(ANSA) - Rome, October 23 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Tuesday that Italy must "defeat fear" as he commented on the volatility of the nation's bond spread amid EU concerns about the government's budget plans. "The only thing that we should be afraid of at the moment is fear itself," said the 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader. "The way the spread has been going over the last few days shows that the markets love Italy more than they do the top European commissioners". Di Maio also promised the government would clamp down on tax evaders.
    "By the end of next year a bill will be approved so evaders go to jail," Di Maio said, adding that an existing bill on corruption will be amended.
    "You have my word. A criminal-law measure of this nature could not be inserted into the (government's recently approved) fiscal decree".