The leader of the anti-establishment party, the Five Star Movement (M5S), snubbed the European Union’s demands of changing the deficit target.
Last week, Rome targeted the country’s deficit for the next three years at 2.4 percent of Italy’s gross domestic product (GDP), three times higher the goal set by the previous centre-left wing government.
But despite Brussels voiced its disapproval, Luigi Di Maio defended the move proposed by the government last week, saying it is what Italians need to be given back “their social rights”.
Speaking to Italian radio RTL 102.5, he said: “We are helping people to get back their social rights.
“This is a solid government and we are not going to decrease the 2.4 percent target.
“We are not turning back from that 2.4 percent target, that has to be clear.
“We will not backtrack by a millimetre, and if there will be the need we will take to the streets to explain our move to people.”
And speaking about the reactions the move sparked in Brussels, he said: “We don’t want to leave the Europe nor the eurozone.
“We are willing to meet to discuss it, we can stay three days closed in a room to explain our reasons.”
The European Commission branded the target set by Rome a threat to the euro itself, with its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, growing increasingly impatient towards the populist government.
He said: “Italy is moving further from the deficit targets set by the European Union, we have just solved the crisis in Greece, I wouldn’t like to find myself in the same situation.
“One crisis is enough.
“If Italy wants a special treatment it will be the end of euro.
“That’s why we must be firm.”
The EU’s deficit target is set at 2 percent.
Mr Juncker’s remarks came after Giovanni Tria, Italy’s finance minister, went to Luxembourg yesterday attended a Eurogroup meeting – an informal gathering of finance ministers of the eurozone.
There, Mr Tria failed to reassure the country’s debt will decrease in 2019, sending shockwaves through the eurozone markets.
As a result, the euro was left scrambling.
The currency was this morning trading at highs of €1.127 against the pound.
Yesterday, the currency was trading at a rate of €1.125.
However, the Italian government reassured the euro will survive this move.
Mr Tria replied to Mr Juncker saying: “There won’t be any end of the euro.”
Lega leader and second deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini also weighed in on the target row, dismissing Juncker’s “threats”.
He said: “In Italy no one believes Juncker’s threats, who now associate our country to Greece.
“We want to work to answer the needs of our citizens.
“The rights to work, to be safe and to health are the priorities of this government and we will carry on.”