Salvini said his right-wing League party wanted to change European Union fiscal rules to push through tax cuts because it would not want a deficit overshoot that lifted debt costs.

He said he was ready to discuss the issue with French and German leaders after an EU parliament election on Sunday.

That indicates he may be toning down his recent comments in which he said he was ready to rip up EU budget rules.

In addition, exit polls showing a surprise victory for the Dutch Labour party in an election for the European parliament on Thursday, beating a Eurosceptic challenger who had been topping the polls, helped lift sentiment towards the euro.

Italy's two-year bond yield fell almost 10 bps to a 2-1/2 week low of 0.48pc.

Ten-year bond yields also fell to their lowest in around 2-1/2 weeks at 2.55pc and were last down eight bps on the day.