The frank revelation was made yesterday as the EU chief drew comparisons between Italy – which goes to the polls next Sunday – and Germany, whose Social Democrat Party is to vote on whether to approve Angela Merkel’s fraught coalition.
Mr Juncker said: “We have the SPD referendum in Germany and the Italian elections, and I am more worried about the outcome of the Italian elections than about the result of the referendum of the SPD.”
He added: “We need to prepare for the worst case scenario, ie a non-operational government in Italy.”
Currently a Silvio Berlusconi coalition is leading the vote in Italy, with former prime minister and europhile Matteo Renzi struggling.
Mr Juncker’s comments, made during a speech in Belgium yesterday, sent shockwaves across the EU with Brussels’ minister for economic development Carlo Calenda slapping down the EU president.
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Mr Calenda said: “His words are understandable, but maybe it would be better not to say that.
“Of course there are concerns after March 4, but it is also clear that the important thing is that you go to vote, without conditioning, otherwise it seems that everything is conditioned from outside.
“I think it is better to avoid comments from outside, especially when it comes to elections.
“Certainly the EU Commission will have its concerns because Italy is part of Europe, but for me it would be better not to say anything.”
Nicola Fratoianni of Liberi e Uguali added in stronger terms: “Instead of speaking freely, it would be good that the president of the EU Commission dealt with the disasters under his mandate”
Forza Italia’s leader Mr Berlusconi, however, defended the EU president: “The European institutions must not intervene in electoral processes of the member countries, but I do not think Juncker has said something out of place.
“He only said he hoped that Italy would have a majority and a government and, in fact, the worst situation is that the vote does not lead to a majority and we must immediately vote again.”
But Mr Juncker was forced to correct his comments. He said: “Elections are an opportunity for democracy, and this also applies to Italy – a country that I feel very close to. Italians will go to the polls to express their vote.
“Whatever the electoral outcome is, I am confident that we will have a government that will ensure that Italy remains a central player in Europe and in defining its future”.
(Additional reporting by Maria Ortega)