Berlusconi warned over ‘interference’

The USA’s ambassador to Italy has issued a veiled warning to Italy’s new Government…

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on economic partnerships between the US and Italy, Ronald Spogli, the United States ambassador to Italy commented: ''The important role of government is to create the conditions for development and growth.

“But it is also essential that Government does not go beyond this. For too many decades there has been too much political interference in the Italian economy''.

Mr Spogli was more positive when it came to the challenges facing the new Government: “Bolstering economic growth and encouraging the country's business class are the two greatest challenges facing the new government of Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

“These are medium and long-term goals which Washington intends to share. In his confidence address to the House, Berlusconi used the word 'growth' 20 times. This means that he Sees growth as the key to the nation's development. And that's a good sign".