Italian PM says yes to debt reduction but through growth
Giuseppe Conte
New Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, 53, was sworn in at the head of the first populist government in an EU founding member that was forged by the Five Star Movement and the far-right League
Italy's newly sworn-in Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said his government wanted to reduce the country's huge public debt "through growth", not austerity, as he made his first speech to the Italian Senate.
"We want to reduce our public debt, but we want to do so with growth and not with austerity measures," he told senators during his policy speech, after which he will ask for parliament's confidence.
Conte also announced his support for lifting sanctions against Russia.
Italy’s new anti-establishment government took power on Friday, ending months of deadlock that saw the eurozone’s third largest economy narrowly avoid snap elections after a last-gasp coalition deal.
New Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, 53, was sworn in at the head of the first populist government in an EU founding member that was forged by the Five Star Movement and the far-right League.