Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani on Wednesday called on European Central Bank
(ECB) President Christine Lagarde to deliver bigger interest
rate cuts than those made so far.
"There is a problem with rates," Tajani said at an event in São
Paulo as part of a visit to Latin America.
"We pay more in interest on government debt than we spend on
health care.
"The time has come for Mrs Lagarde to finally lower rates more
substantially.
"We need more courage.
"She gets angry and says she is independent.
"The Central Bank is independent, but I am free to express my
opinions and say what I think: if you want to grow, at this
moment in time, you have to lower the cost of money".
Tajani also spoke about the government's efforts to boost
growth.
"We must continue to work to reduce the tax burden, because
reducing taxes is the only recipe for growth," said the Forza
Italia (FI) leader.
"Reducing the tax burden and focusing on growth is also
necessary to reduce the public debt".
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