Italy economy minister says French election ‘good news’ for the world

ROME: Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan welcomed on Monday the victory of centrist Emmanuel Macron in the first round of France's presidential race and said he hoped Italy's anti-euro parties could be beaten back.

"It is good news that Macron has won the first round ... because he has a very strong pro-Europe and pro-market programme," Padoan told CNBC television.

He said it was "worrying" that there were so many euro-sceptic parties in Italy, but added that it was not certain they would ever be in a position to push for, and win, a referendum on the subject.

"I am still confident that the reform programme the government has been implementing will gain consensus so that this risk is avoided," he said.