The Italian economy has been held back for decades.
I am certain that most Germans have instinctive liking for Italy, just as Italians admire Germans for their many qualities.
I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.
Growth in any individual European country has to be the result of policies for growth pursued in that country consistent with budgetary discipline.
The two greatest priorities for my government are tackling tax evasion and corruption.
As to the question of elected or not elected, each member of the European Commission has been appointed jointly by the governments of the 15 member states, and undergone individual scrutiny and a vote of confidence from the European Parliament.