euronews interview – D’Alema: Merkel represents a ‘selfish Europe’

www.euronews.com Former Italian Prime Minister and President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Massimo D’Alema is considered a prominent, Italian leftist. He spoke to euronews about life after Berlusconi and the eurozone’s troubles. euronews: “Italy had a shake up towards the end of 2011. Since then, it has slowly recovered but at great cost. The austerity plan has meant higher taxes, pension reform and now labour reform – with incentives for hiring and measures for layoffs. You’re a leftist but what are the right answers?” Massimo D’Alema: “Well I have to say that Italy has taken a very important step forward since the replacement of the Berlusconi government. This, for Italy and for the eurozone, was very good news, because Italy was not responsible for the crisis, the government was.” euronews: “But with how it is today, including the employment reforms, by introducing more flexibility without necessarily strengthening the safety net in a country where there is no minimum wage, where unemployment benefits are very limited and where the social protection is dysfunctional, are there still risks?” Massimo D’Alema: “The problem was the huge division of the labour market between workers and between the young people who have security and the ones who are in a more precarious situation – with no rights and no protection. So, the reform has two sides, one means there’s more flexible work for protected workers but on the other side, there’s now more protection …
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