• Germany edition
Politics
Photo: DPA

Berlin bats back Berlusconi barbs

Published: 11 Dec 12 17:38 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20121211-46705.html

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that reforms carried out by Prime Minister Mario Monti had put Italy on a good path, dismissing Silvio Berlusconi's criticism he had been too "German-centric."

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin Merkel said: "I support what Mario Monti's government has put in place."

The reforms he has carried out have resulted in Italy winning back at least part of the confidence of the financial markets, she added.

"Therefore the Italian people will clearly vote to put Italy on a good path," Merkel said.

Stock markets sold off sharply and borrowing costs soared after a weekend of political drama in Italy in which Monti said he would soon step down and his mercurial predecessor Berlusconi announced a return to politics. Elections are now expected to be held in February.

Berlusconi on Tuesday set the tone for his upcoming election campaign accusing Monti of being "German-centric" and said that all the main economic indicators had worsened since the former Eurocrat was installed in power.

Speaking in Berlin before leaving for a meeting in Morocco on the Syrian crisis, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle hit back, saying it was unacceptable for Germany to be used as a target in a "popularist election campaign."

"Neither Germany nor Europe is to blame for the difficulties in Italy. On the contrary, Germany has always been a great help in overcoming the problems," he added.

Monti's reforms are "of great importance for the stability of Italy but also for the stability of Europe," stressed the minister.

Conversely, if the reforms were to be wound back, "it would be not only a sad development for Italy, it would be a dangerous development for Europe," insisted Westerwelle.

Monti has been credited with pushing through much needed economic reforms in Italy and markets rewarded him by pushing down borrowing costs that at one point were so high a bailout looked likely.

Heavily-indebted Italy has the eurozone's fourth biggest economy and severe financial problems there would represent a fresh chapter in the 17-nation bloc's ongoing debt crisis.

The European Central Bank also warned on Monday that any new Italian leader must continue reform efforts.

AFP/The Local/mry

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

20:18 December 11, 2012 by TheCrownPrince
Even the possibility of a comeback concerning Silvio B. tells me that there must be something completely wrong in italian politics. How immature and nutty can voters be, wasting their vote for this ridiculous clown? He won't be taken seriously anywhere abroad, foreign investors will abandon Italy, necessary reforms won't be made. What lunacy!
20:20 December 11, 2012 by smart2012
First berlusconi is a populistic i.... However if he has an argument is cause Verkel has screwed up by driving the eu agenda, and people do not see an end.

Last, Italy is third biggest eu economy in eu, not fourth, and it is paying a lot of money to support Europe. Why fourth?
01:59 December 12, 2012 by www.emungus.net
ITALY: FALL IN DISGRACE

Courtesy is not always a good companion by the fact that sometimes it overshadows the truth . Nevertheless , can we finally dare by admitting that Italy is a failed state? No, sorry...courtesy requires, let us rephrase that statement : the land of Benito Mussolini may fall in disgrace.
05:24 December 12, 2012 by jmclewis
There should be a Club of bad Pols ....... Lets See Both Bushes, Clinton for Glass Stegal, Obama proved he could out spend Bush.... Merkel........Mr Boom Boom ...... I cannot name a good French Leaders....
10:00 December 12, 2012 by smart2012
emungus, can u express some more facts to justify your populistic statement?
10:41 December 12, 2012 by raandy
All politics by Berlusconi, he is taking advantage of the painful austerity measures and the general dislike like for the German insistance on them.
17:15 December 12, 2012 by michael4096
"...can u express some more facts to justify your populistic statement?"

From smart! Best laugh I had all day!
17:37 December 12, 2012 by www.emungus.net
Dear smart2012,

Sorry you feel it that way. I did back up that statement, here are some comparative facts :

ITALY

Unemployment: 10.8%

Average gross salary: 2,521 € / 3,403 $, monthly

GERMAY

Unemployment: 5.4%

Average gross salary: 4,217 € / 5,692 $, monthly

(For further details, please refer to : World economic outlook database, International Monetary Fund)
18:25 December 12, 2012 by pjnt
Burlusconi makes me laugh. Italians make me laugh because they think Burlusconi isn't funny.

What a joke.
15:18 December 21, 2012 by jg.
@smart2012 "Last, Italy is third biggest eu economy in eu, not fourth, and it is paying a lot of money to support Europe. Why fourth?"

GDP: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain,...
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Cooler and wetter week ahead

Rain in the west, sunshine in the east - Germany's weather was divided on Monday, as the German Weather Service (DWD) warned of an unsettled week ahead. READ () »

Photo: DPA

20,000 Goths gather in Leipzig

More than 20,000 Goths from all over the world gathered in Leipzig in eastern Germany over the Whitsun weekend to celebrate all things dark and Gothic. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Germany grapples with nuclear energy phaseout

Germany's energy transition project - in which nuclear power will be phased out and replaced with energy from renewable sources - is facing the challenges of cheap coal, unresolved energy storage and an out-of-date electricity grid. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Fans flock to London for all-German CL final

With two Bundesliga clubs in the Champions League final, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund supporters are rushing to London for this weekend's Wembley showdown. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Hungary's Orban: Merkel policy like Nazi invasion

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbàn deepened diplomatic tensions with Germany after comparing the policies of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Nazi military invasion of his country ordered by Adolf Hitler. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Pricey Reichstag visitor centre scrapped

Visitors to Berlin's iconic Reichstag parliament building will continue to face long queues before they can enter through a temporary container, after politicians scrapped plans for an expensive underground visitor centre. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks

The Federal Criminal Police Office is warning of a new type of Islamist terrorist threat from the air that could attack both passenger and cargo planes as well as airport facilities, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut

European Union proposals to eliminate one and two cent euro coins is annoying some Germans, including a few at the Bundesbank, while others think an EU idea to introduce one and two-euro notes is a good one. READ () »

More Politics
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Harmless pink fun or a bad influence on young girls? A life-size Barbie dream house attraction opened in Berlin to protests including a topless woman burning a doll in effigy.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
At his final heartbeat I knew I had to act. Our German of the Week is Tina K., who, after her brother was beaten to death, has been campaigning for an end to street violence in Berlin.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local List: Ten German words with double meanings
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Conflict is part of the fabric of Berlin, but the city's "Peacemaker" soothes things over. Jessica Ware tracked him down for a chat.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
It might be politically toxic, but it's time to hit the brakes on Germany's reckless driving culture, argues The Local's Ben Knight.
Photo: M&S
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Move over Berlin: why London is Germany's new fashion capital
Photo: Private
OPINION »
For this edition of My German Career, former US military man turned armed guard Keith Alban talks about leaving home in search of a better quality of life.
Photo: Katie Needs
SOCIETY »
Offseason, Germany's largest island Rügen might not top many peoples' list of dream holidays. But as The Local discovered, its quiet beauty makes it worth a trip to escape city bustle.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Confused about the hundreds of euros missing from your pay packet? Don't panic - the latest in The Local's JobTalk series looks at German social security payments.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Is that your Handy ringing? This week's Local List takes a look at 12 misused English words in German.
Photo: A Peoples' Picture
LIFESTYLE »
An American is stirring up creative spontaneity in Dresden by leaving disposable cameras around for strangers' use, before collecting them and displaying the results online.
Photo: Private
LIFESTYLE »
After it was revealed that Angela Merkel had a Polish grandfather, Matthew Luxmoore set out to find where she could connect to her roots in Berlin's sizable Polish community.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Why isn't everyone wearing Lederhosen? It's easy for foreigners to stereotype Germany, but this week's Local List is dedicated to debunking common myths.
Photo: Private
OPINION »
The last time Si Liberman saw Berlin, he was thousands of feet in the air on a US bombing raid over Nazi Germany. Nearly seven decades later, he returned to the city.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
What are the hidden rules of etiquette foreigners need to watch out for while doing business in Germany? The Local's JobTalk series has tips for keeping on the right side of your colleagues.
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
All of The Local's 'Germans of the Week' so far
Photo: DPA
NATIONAL »
Every town and city from The Local's My Germany series
Furniture Leasing Corporation
SPONSORED ARTICLE
The furniture-free way to relocate to Germany
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Top five reasons to enrol on an Executive MBA



Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

784 jobs available
592 new jobs this week
98 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
  • German first feature film in Cannes
    A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
  • Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
    Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris.
  • Frankfurt – the digital hub
    The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
  • The European Year of Citizens
    2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility.
  • Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
    Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.