‘Italy BETTER off than Germany’ MEP trashes EU budget rejection with brilliant point

Speaking to France24, the Five Star Movement MEP argued ‘s internal surplus proved to be better than Germany’s, claiming Italy is in a “strong position” to be defiant on its budget proposals.

Ms Beghin also claimed Italy benefits from the solidarity of other member states who agree the European Commission should not be dictating the way forward.

She said: “I think that we will maintain our position, we are strong enough to maintain our position because we are Italy.

“We are the third contributors of the EU budget, and we have solidarity from other countries that have stated in the last hour that it is impossible for the EU Commission to have such a position towards a member state.

“This is a political signal. This is not an evaluation made with a correct analysis.

“It’s just an opinion. We are not violating at all. We have an internal balance that is positive since almost 27 years.

“We are better than other countries like Germany for example.

“Our internal surplus is nearly 13 percent, that is just five percent in Germany.

“So we did all the best that we could to make spending reviews, to cut, to make reforms, but it didn’t help to increase our GDP.

“I didn’t help to change our economic situation.

“Now we need to invest, not to spend money, we need to invest in a pragmatic way.”

Tensions between Rome and Brussels continue to rise following the European Commission’s rejection of Italy’s budget proposals. 

The EU institution has given the Italian eurosceptic Government three weeks to come back with a reviewed plan.

But Deputy Prime Ministers Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio remain defiant against Brussels decision and have announced to stick to the proposal. 

Luigi Di Maio, said the government will not adjust its 2019 budget deficit target and insists it does not want to leave the bloc or the single currency, despite the European Commission demanding changes.

The Five Star Movement leader said his government is not “respecting” the EU’s rules and reiterated the Italian’s desire to stay in the eurozone.

He said: “Markets are not concerned about Italy not respecting the EU budget rules.

“Investors are worried about false storytelling according to which Italy wants to leave the euro and the European Union. That is not that case.”