Eurozone

There are two sides of the same coin, and the choice of the “iron lady” of Frankfurt to hike the interest rates will have a series of repercussions on daily life.

Developments in the European Union’s third largest economy unfortunately do not impact solely on Italian domestic affairs. They concern the entire Union.

The next step and visionary objective is also linked to Europe, and it is the development of a common European defence – with Macron’s rationale – European sovereignty.

'The difficulties were a given when the issue was the stability of the euro, and I personally was absolutely cognisant of the excessive burden and challenge that this entailed for the people of Greece.'

For the eurozone member-states to transcend their differences and strike a deal it took tough negotiations of the kind to which the EU is accustomed.

The government is indifferent to the fact that the chaos in Italy can lead to a new Greek tragedy. It is handling the banks with incredible shoddiness.

Asked by Ta Nea about pension cuts, Angela Merkel's office has signaled that the Greek government must stay the course of reforms, as agreed to this past summer, upon the completion of the third and last bailout memorandum.

'The decision on pensions has been taken, is crystal clear, and has already been agreed to by the Greece,' said an EU official