Monti Warns Merkel and Sarkozy Over EU Leadership
January 12th, 2012
Italian Prime Minister, Mario Monti, has warned German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, that they can not lead the European Union on their own, and has demanded a greater role for Italy and other EU member states in the debate for finding a solution to the debt crisis.
In an interview published in the German newspaper ‘Die Welt’ on the occasion of his visit to Berlin, where he was to meet with the German Chancellor, Monti also commented on the role Germany and France has played in the debt crisis.
Both countries should not “get above themselves” when talking about fiscal discipline, said the Italian Prime Minister, who pointed out that the biggest mistake of the past ten years was made by Germany and France in 2003 when they failed to comply with the Maastricht criteria.
He emphasised, however, that “good Franco-German co-operation is a prerequisite for the development of Europe”, but noted that “this is not enough, even less so in a Europe of 27″, and claimed a greater role for other countries, including Italy.
Merkel and Sarkozy “would commit a grave error if they think that they alone can lead the EU”, said Monti, adding that “Europe must have several centres. And Italy is one of them.”
“We are a strong, proud country, and in principle we have an effective economy,” said the Italian Prime Minister, and expressed his fear that anti-European protests would occur in his country if there is no clear progress achieved on the “hard sacrifices” demanded.
“If the Italians do not see tangible successes occurring in the foreseeable future with regard to savings and reforms, protests will emerge in Italy, and also against Germany, considered to be the ringleader of the intolerance of the EU, as well as against the European Central Bank”, stated Monti.
The head of the Italian government said that he personally demands “hard sacrifices of the Italians, but I can only demand them if concrete advantages are outlined in return.”
“I can not succeed if the EU policy does not change. And if this does not happen then Italy, which has always been a pro-European country, may fall into the arms of the populists,” he warned.
Nevertheless, El Mundo reported that Monti acknowledged his admiration for the country he was visiting, commenting that “I’ve always worked for an Italy that is as similar as possible to Germany. I really like Germany. Above all for its greatest achievement, the social market economy”.
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