Happy if Gentiloni keeps an eye on Italy says Meloni

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 7 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday she would be "happy" if European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni kept an eye out for Italy after her two deputy premiers made disparaging remarks about his allegedly unpatriotic leanings.
    "European commissioners, although they represent nations, when they are commissioners they represent the European Union," she said.
    "Then since each nation has its own commissioner, it happens that they keep an eye on the nation they represent.
    "I think it is normal and fair and I would be happy if it happened more for Italy too".
    Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday he hoped European Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs Paolo Gentiloni would not take a hard line in the reform of the EU's Stability and Growth Pact on budget rules.
    "The criticism of Gentiloni came from Matteo Salvini," Tajani told Radio Anch'io on Radio 1, referring to Wednesday's attack on the Italian commissioner by Deputy Premier, Transport Minister and right-wing League leader Salvini.
    However, Tajani added that he hoped "Gentiloni works taking into account that he is also the Italian commissioner, and that his vision is not that of the hard-line countries regarding the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact".
    On Wednesday Salvini drew strong criticism from opposition parties after saying that Gentiloni, the only representative of Italy on the European executive, "acted like a foreigner".
    "Instead of making suggestions, he has raised complaints and criticisms," said Salvini.
    "It is fundamental to have European commissioners who defend the interest of the entire community and the country," he added.
    Gentiloni replied indirectly to the criticism during a public event in Mestre, saying he had the confidence of the Italian government "by definition".
    On Thursday Meloni said she was in favour of either reforming the Pact, so that it does not mandate the same strict fiscal discipline as before the COVID pandemic, or "extending the current norms" which have waived the 3% deficit to GDP limit, among other things. (ANSA).