New Italian PM Warns Of Austerity Backlash Amid Growing Anti-EU Mood

Berlin, May 2, IRNA -- New Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta here Tuesday delivered a stark warning of a popular backlash against austerity policies in the eurozone ahead of his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Kicking off a European tour only hours after his cross-party coalition government secured a second vote of confidence in parliament, Letta told reporters that austerity policies would only strengthen the anti-European movement. The premier warned that Italyˈs February election, which witnessed mounting support for parties assaulting the European Union, highlighted the need for a change of course. ˈThe message which has arrived from the Italian electorate should not be underestimated,ˈ Letta said, standing next to Merkel at a press briefing. Merkel is viewed by many southern European countries like Italy, Spain and Greece as spearheading Europeˈs growing unpopular belt-tightening policies. The Italian leader of Europeˈs third-largest economy added, ˈWe have done and will continue to do everything needed to keep our finances in order but we believe Europe must pursue policies for growth.ˈ Letta had pledged to jump-start Italyˈs stagnant economy, seeking to move the eurozone away from a German-led focus on merely structural reform, austerity and deficit reductions toward an economic growth-friendly path./end