Earlier today Italian PM Matteo Renzi laid the smack down on his vision for Europe ahead of Italy taking over the European council presidency for the second half of the year.
In a speech to parliament in Rome lasting over an hour, he laid out what would be the focus for Italy’s time at the helm. The usual subjects were blustered. Growth, jobs and immigration. He also spoke of fiscal flexibility (more goal post moving) which is something Italy has been pushing hard for.
He then called a list of European Commission recommendations a “shopping list” and compared the commission to “a boring old aunt telling us what to do”
Italy is taking over the presidency from Greece and it’s a 6 monthly farce of a position. What can anyone accomplish in 6 months is beyond me. It’s just letting the kids sit in the big chair for a moment and letting them feel important.
Europe in a nutshell really
