Mps-Mediobanca, Renzi: 'Golden power serious damage to free market'

"For me the free market always wins and so starting next Monday at the Mediobanca shareholders' meeting let the best man win who has the most consensus. I have the impression that there is a little too much activism on the part of the government, which is something a little different because when the government decides to use Golden Power against Unicredit, what is happening is a very serious violation of the rules of the free market. I do not take a position for any of the parties involved, because I am in politics and so may the best man win, but when the government of the Republic decides to use Golden Power against an Italian bank, this is an absolute scandal, because nobody says anything, but this is a total scandal'. This was said by Italia Viva leader Matteo Renzi commenting on the investigation into the Mps-Mediobanca operation.

Renzi spoke on the sidelines of the convention of the Young Confindustria underway in Rapallo. "No person can think that Golden Power is being used against an Italian bank. If there is an Italian bank that wants to take another Italian bank, you can dislike the CEO, that is absolutely legitimate, but you cannot use Golden Power against an Italian bank, because we are at the abc of the rules of the free market: Golden Power in economics is the nuclear bomb, it is the last resort. Then here we are in a phase where the government is worried about Golden Power and taxes continue to be too high,' he concluded, 'there is no measure for companies. I am happy that there is so much applause for the government, but when I hear Adolfo Urso speak, my arms fall off'.

The leader of Italia Viva also spoke about the crisis between Israel and Iran. 'I find that the situation of the last few hours is the effect of a series of changes,' he said. 'Ten years ago the Middle East was worse than it is now, with terrorist attacks towards Europe. Within the Middle East there is an extraordinary reforming force, Saudi Arabia, which is revolutionising the Islamic world, fighting terrorism. Ten years ago it had three enemies, the three H's, paid for by Iran: Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi', so much so that 'when the agreements between Saudi Arabia and Israel were imminent, Hamas blew them up on 7 October. The reaction of Israel, which has the right to exist, can be discussed", but for now "no one has any elements to say how the clash with Iran will end", so "we are in a moment of great risk". In the face of all this, 'we don't need catchphrases like Tajani, who while everyone knew it was a matter of hours that the attack would take place, said "I didn't expect it". It is not just him who is making a fool of himself, but the country! Leadership is needed,' he added.