In his “last match in Europe”, outgoing Italian premier Mario Monti went to the European Council in Brussels to try and persuade northern countries to allow Italy more economic flexibility.
Monti wrote a letter to other EU leaders, stating that the country “should be able to exploit any further margin in the stability pact”, enabling the start of a stimulus plan to create jobs, while countries undertaking tough reforms should be rewarded.
Despite France backing his plea, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s reacted coolly to the proposal.
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