The leader of the League Party called out his coalition partner Silvio Berlusconi for agreeing to Brussels’ to impose a 3 percent limit to Italy‘s deficit.
Mr Salvini said: “To us the number three, if it damages Italian business and families, doesn’t exist.
“We want Italy to be in the EU to matter without having to ask favours and not to take orders from Brussels. If others say no, we’ll do whatever it takes to protect the national interest. To defend Italians we are willing to ignore all rules about the euro.”
Mr Salvini, a frontrunner in the 2018 Italian general election, has been serving as a member of the European Parliament (EP) since 2004 and has repeatedly expressed criticism towards the Brussels’ administration.
He said Italy needed to be protected from Brussels and Berlin as they “walk on the Republic” imposing EU directives that do not work for the country.
The League leader expressed particular criticism of the EU Bolkenstein directive which many member states fear could kill quality services – like the Made in Italy brand the country heavily relies on for income.
Speaking to La Repubblica, Mr Salvini said: “Italy doesn’t need guarantors. We are a free and sovereign Republic walked on by Brussels and Berlin’s interests. Italians need to be protected from it.
“If there are EU directives that damage Italian families, the Salvini Government will not consider them, like Bolkestein or the bank directive.
“Italian can pick between the PD who sold off families and business, the M5S chaos or the centre-right with a common manifesto based on the reform of treaties, the predominance of the Constitution over EU law and the protection of Italian interests.
“If the Salvini Government manages to change the bank directive, the Bolkestein, the stability pact then good, mission accomplished. If they tell me ‘no, go whistle’ I will consider the hypothesis of regaining sovereignty.”
Despite officially entering a coalition pact with Mr Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, Mr Salvini repeatedly defied the former PM’s pro-EU line.
Mr Berlusconi, also in the run as Italy’s next Prime Minister, flew to Brussels to discuss the issues of immigration, security and the relationship between the bloc and Vladimir Putin, with President Jean-Claude Juncker.
With his trip to Brussels, Silvio Berlusconi confirmed his commitment to the European Union, which he called “essential”.