Italian Foreign Minister calls Jean-Claude Juncker a drunk after EU boss warned Italian budget proposal could lead to economic crisis
Mr Juncker was threatened with a lawsuit, from Mr Salvini, after the EU chief's comments pushed up the cost of borrowing in Italy, which is already struggling under £2 trillion of debt
ITALY'S foreign minister has blasted Jean-Claude Juncker as a drunk and threatened to sue the EU boss for talking down the country's economy.
Matteo Salvini was left fuming after the Commission president suggested Rome's budget proposals could lead to a Greece-style financial meltdown.
The top eurocrat's comments spooked markets and pushed up the cost of borrowing for Italy, which is already struggling under a £2 trillion debt.
In a furious response Mr Salvini, who comes from the nationalist League party, took aim at the Commission chief's long-rumoured fondness for drink.
He raged: "He should drink two glasses of water before opening his mouth, and stop spreading non-existent threats.
I talk to sober people."
Mr Juncker has been repeatedly dogged by accusations of heavy drinking which he strongly denies, insisting he suffers from severe sciatica.
In July he had to be helped off stage at a NATO summit dinner by EU leaders and was later photographed leaving the venue in a wheelchair.
At the time an EU source defended the chief eurocrat, insisting: "Sciatica is not a drink."
Mr Juncker had made his remarks about Italy while speaking at a "citizens' dialogue" event in the German city of Trieste on Monday night.
The chief eurocrat told the audience: "One crisis was enough.
After the toughest management of the Greece crisis, we have to do everything to avoid a new Greece - this time an Italy - crisis."
EU officials yesterday tried to row back on the remarks insisting Mr Juncker was not singling out Rome for criticism.
A Commission spokesman said: "The President didn't make an Italy specific remark but a remark generally about economic policy.
most read in politics
"The President's respect and indeed affection for Italy and the Italian people is very well known.
"As far as the draft budget is concerned the Commission will assess it when it's submitted and following the assessment we'll decide on the appropriate next steps, as we do with all members of the eurozone."
Italy's populist government wants to hike spending to boost the country's flagging economy in a move that could breach EU spending rules.
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].