No one, no social group, can today avoid the commitment to contribute to the clean up of public finances in order to prevent the financial collapse of Italy. The sacrifices will not be in vain, especially if the economy begins to grow again

The country will also need 'new forms of social welfare' instead of its current system which is excessively centred on pensions.

It's not just we Italians who are caught up in the difficulty.

Speaking from my experience as a person involved for a long time in building the European Union, it is important to have patience and efforts to build a community of nations.

It is a responsibility we perceive from the entire international community to protect the stability of the single currency as well as the European frame work.

Now is the time to show maximum responsibility. It is not the time to pay off old scores nor for sterile partisan recriminations. It is time to re-establish a climate of calmness and mutual respect.

If the constitutional process is not brought to a successful conclusion before the European elections, then the whole process might run out of steam.