There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.

There was in Italy a hidden demand for a boring government which would try to tell the truth in non-political jargon.

If Spain goes under, Italy will come under even more scrutiny.

Italy even in the future will not need aid from the European Financial Stability Fund.

I hope that my government can help change Italian mentality.

I believe that reforms will not really take hold if they do not gradually come into the culture of the people.

A lot of the American press at the time was saying 'just watch what happens when Bertelsmann tries to buy EMI, that will be a moment of truth that will show the Commission's true colors.' Well, that deal never happened either.