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.

In the area of macroeconomic policies, I think we'll see more centralization, like in the budgetary sphere.

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

Italy needed structural reforms to become more competitive.

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

I hope that my government can help change Italian mentality.

I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.