ZCZC
BCN-11
ITALIE-PARTIES-ECONOMY-BUDGET
Italy spokesman threatens treasury staff over cash for election promises
ROME, Sept 24, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A recording has emerged of the Italian
government’s chief spokesman threatening to “eliminate a tide” of treasury
officials unless they find the money for projects, including a basic income
grant, promised in March elections.
The recording, made by two Huffington Post journalists and widely
distributed by Italian media on Sunday, threatens to embarrass the populist
government just days before it is due to present an annual budget.
Spokesman Rocco Casalino, aligned to the anti-establishment Five Star
Movement (M5S), warns on tape of a “mega-vendetta” against finance ministry
functionaries “if they do not find the money”.
“The year 2019 will be dedicated to eliminating a tide of members of the
finance ministry. The knives will be out,” he can be heard saying.
Casalino, spokesman for the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte,
said on Sunday the recording was made during a “private conversation” with
the journalists, and complained of a “violation of confidentiality” — a
charge the Huffington Post rejected.
Italy’s government — made up of an alliance between the populist M5S and
nationalist League — made a series of costly pledges in a joint government
programme they said would be financed by economic growth.
The promises, including significant tax cuts combined with a basic income
for the unemployed and those living on low wages, have been estimated to
require as much as 100 billion euros ($117 billion) while Italy’s public debt
stands at 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
In July, the country’s growth forecasts were revised downwards, a
potential roadblock to keeping the election promises.
Earlier this week, EU commissioner for economic affairs, Pierre Moscovici,
said Italy must present a “credible” budget for the coming year, and
described the anti-establishment government in Rome as a “problem”.
BSS/AFP/HR/0950