Italy’s Renzi criticizes Franco-German dominance in EU

Report of a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on the 29 January 2016. The meeting took place in the context of a series of critical remarks by Mr Renzi concerning perceived Franco-German dominance in EU decision-making, especially on the refugee crisis

Mr Renzi stressed that he held German Chancellor Angela Merkel in high esteem, but also made the case for a bigger role for Italy and other European Union members in jointly tackling European crises.

Following the meeting the leaders of both countries spoke in favour of a united European response to the refugee crisis. It was suggested that Mrs Merkel would be more supportive of a flexible stance on flexibility on Italian finances, while Mr Renzi said that Italy would allow €3bn of promised EU aid to Turkey to proceed.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Renzi criticises German dominance in EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/renzi-criticises-german-dominance-in-eu/

ESO: Background information: Juncker: Problems piling up, but EU not over yet http://www.europeansources.info/record/juncker-problems-piling-up-but-eu-not-over-yet/

The Local.it, 28.01.16: Why Italy's scrapping to be let into Europe's big boys' club http://www.thelocal.it/20160128/why-italy-is-scrapping-to-be-let-into-europes-big-boys-club

Sputnik International, 28.01.16: France, Germany Cannot Solve Refugee Crisis Alone – Italian PM http://sptnkne.ws/a6zs

The New York Times, 28.01.16: Matteo Renzi, Italian Premier, Pushes for a Place at Europe’s Power Table http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/world/europe/matteo-renzi-italian-premier-pushes-for-a-place-at-europes-power-table.html

Politico, 29.01.16: Renzi makes Merkel an offer she can’t refuse http://www.politico.eu/article/renzi-makes-merkel-offer-she-cant-refuse-finance-debt-eurozone-flexibility/

Politico, 29.01.16: Merkel and Renzi bury the hatchet http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-and-matteo-renzi-bury-the-hatchet-migration-refugees-budget/

Deutsche Welle, 29.01.16: Merkel and Renzi agree on united front against human traffickers http://dw.com/p/1Hlwu

EurActiv, 29.01.16: Renzi tells Merkel: 'Budget flexibility was a promise' http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/renzi-tells-merkel-budget-flexibility-was-promise-321444

The Local.it, 29.01.16: EU austerity is putting brakes on Italy's economy: Renzi http://www.thelocal.it/20160129/italy-insists-on-flexibility-in-eu-budgets

Politico, 02.02.16: Renzi slams ‘perverse’ EU rule on refugee spending http://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-slams-perverse-eu-rule-on-refugee-spending-migration-asylum-crisis/

EUObserver, 09.02.16: Renzi plots EU collision course https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/132178

EurActiv, 10.02.16: Renzi compares EU to sinking Titanic’s orchestra http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/renzi-compares-eu-sinking-titanics-orchestra-321759

Politico, 11.02.16: Matteo Renzi: Eurozone needs new policies more than new minister http://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-renzi-eurozone-needs-new-policy-more-than-new-minister/

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