‘END OF THE EU’ Salvini has serious WARNING for Brussels if they accept Macron spending

Speaking to the press on his visit to Israel, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister claimed his Government has come up with a solution to the ongoing budget row with the European Commission. But launched a scathing attack against the Brussels bloc at the news French President has put forward new costly economic measures to respond to the deadly Paris riots. 

The new measures will leave France with a bigger budget deficit than Italy, putting the European Commission in a compromising position as it prepares to sanction Italy on its budget. 

Mr Salvini claimed the European Union would come to an end if Brussels decided to approve President Macron’s measures in this moment of difficulty for France but refused to budge on Italy’s demands.

He said: “We, as Italians, have found a solution.

“I trust in Brussels’ common sense and I refuse to imagine that they would act as nothing happened in the face of Macron’s request of billions because he is obviously struggling while they reject Italians’ demands.

“It would really be the end of this European Union.”

Clemens Fuest, President of Germany’s IFO Institute, claimed the French President should face the same disciplinary procedure as Italy from the European Commission arguing Mr Macron’s response to the riots is a mere “tax giveaway”. 

He said: “Macron’s response suggests that a rioting and pillaging mob can dictate politics, while those who demonstrate peacefully – or not at all – are ignored.

“France should face the normal procedure from the Commission.

“It would be quite wrong if Italy is subjected to all this criticism while the French do what they want.” 

Echoing Mr Fuest’s comments, Professor Jacques Sapir from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris said Macron’s position was “very embarrassing”. 

He said: “It is quite obvious that the budget deficit will be at least 3.5pc of GDP next year, and probably 4pc because the economy is heading for a light recession.

“Macron is now in the same boat as Salvini and di Maio in Italy. This is very embarrassing because he castigated them as populists over their budget.”

The French President will face a vote of no confidence in parliament on Thursday amid nationwide anger against his economic policies which caused violent riots across the country.

The disorder, which erupted on November 17, was focused on denouncing a squeeze on household spending brought about by President Macron’s taxes on diesel, which he said were necessary to combat climate change and protect the environment.

But Mr Macron was forced to climb down from his fuel tax increases, which were part of his effort to combat climate change, wanting to persuade French drivers to exchange diesel-fuelled cars for less polluting models.

However, they have since evolved into a bigger, general anti-Macron uprising, with many criticising the president for pursuing policies they claim favour the richest members of French society.