MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Italian lawmakers demand EU budget commissioner be forced out of office

EU commissioner Oettinger said here had been a “noticeable downturn” in government bonds, banks' market values and in Italy's economy in general”

Senior Italian politicians on Tuesday called for EU budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger to resign over an “absurd” comment in which he voiced the hope that the country's poor economic situation will keep populist parties out of government.

Italy is facing the likely prospect of fresh elections after President Sergio Mattarella on Sunday blocked a cabinet proposed by the anti-immigrant League and their allies, the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S). The chaotic developments have spooked investors, who fear another election could see an even better result for the populist, eurosceptic parties.

In an interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, EU commissioner Oettinger said here had been a “noticeable downturn” in government bonds, banks' market values and in Italy's economy in general, which “the government formation may be responsible for”.

“I can only hope,” he added, “that this will play a role in the election campaign, in the sense of sending a signal to voters not to hand power to populists on the right and left.” His argument was picked up by a journalist in a comment which Oettinger then retweeted: “The markets will teach Italy to vote for the right thing.”

Far-right League leader Matteo Salvini immediately pounced upon the message. “It's crazy, in Brussels they have no shame,” Salvini tweeted.

“'The markets will teach Italy how to vote.' That sounds like a threat to me! I'm not afraid,” he continued, before calling on Oettinger to resign “this afternoon” in a Facebook video.

Even the country's pro-European Democratic Party (PD) had strong words for Oettinger. “No one can tell Italians how to vote, not least the markets. Italy must be respected,” said Maurizio Martina, interim leader of the PD. Outgoing Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda, also from the PD, called for “an apology or resignation” of the EU commissioner.

Five Star leader, Luigi Di Maio, also weighed into the debate. “'The markets will teach you to vote.' The words of the European Commissioner, Mr. Oettinger, are absurd,” said Di Maio.

“These people treat Italy like a summer colony where they come to spend their holidays. But in a few months a government of change will be born and in Europe we will finally be respected.”

European officials were quick to distance themselves from the remark. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas labelled the comment “unwise”. “It is the Italians and only the Italians who will decide on the future of their country. Nobody else,” he said.