Premier Matteo Renzi said
Tuesday that private forecasts of 2% economic growth for Italy
are "unrealistic".
In a wide-ranging interview on television program Porta a
Porta, Renzi said that GDP growth of about half of that, perhaps
about 1.1%, would give the government an additional eight
billion euros.
Meanwhile, Renzi said that the largest of Italy's
'popolari' or cooperative banks have "distorted the concept" of
coops and must now be treated differently.
He defended new legislation requiring the 10 biggest
popolari to convert to corporations with new rules.
Renzi also said that there had been "no plot" to oust
ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi in 2011, adding that "it was time
to turn the page" on that chapter of Italian politics.
The premier added his thanks to former president Giorgio
Napolitano "for the role you played in national unity and the
Constitution".
Napolitano, 89, stepped down last month and on Tuesday
President Sergio Mattarella was sworn in despite Berlusconi's
opposition.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
