BERLIN: Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned on Wednesday of possible "anti-European" protests in his country if Rome's reform efforts were not recognised, ahead of a key meeting with Germany's chancellor.
Speaking in German daily Die Welt, Monti complained: "The problem is that despite our sacrifices, we have not got anything in return from the European Union, such as a drop in interest rates."
"Unfortunately, we have to say that our reform policies have not received the recognition and appreciation in Europe that they deserve," the prime minister added.
"If the Italian people do not soon see tangible success for their savings and reform efforts, there will be a protest against Europe, against Germany -- seen as the driver of EU intolerance -- and against the ECB," he added.
Monti came to power in November at the head of an unelected government of technocrats after a wave of financial market panic and a parliamentary revolt forced the resignation of scandal-hit Silvio Berlusconi.
The eurozone's third largest economy, Italy sparked fears that its toxic mix of low growth, high debt and spiralling borrowing costs could force it to seek a bailout like fellow eurozone members Greece, Ireland and Portugal.
Monti has pushed through a crushing austerity plan to fix the nation's problems but there is still concern over the impact on an economy that is moving into recession.
Despite the worries, Monti insisted to Die Welt: "I know that these problems are solvable."
Later Wednesday, Monti was due to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks likely to focus on the eurozone debt crisis.
The talks cap a three-day flurry of diplomatic efforts in Berlin to stem the crisis. Merkel met French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde on Tuesday.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.