Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, presents her budget to parliament and her image of Italy as a stable, fiscally responsible country in the EU. Plus, the UK becomes the first country outside the Asia-Pacific to sign a trade deal in the region. Then, our final edition of ‘The Global Countdown’ for the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You are listening to THE Briefing, first broadcast on the 19th of December, 2024 on Monocle Radio.
Hello and welcome to the Briefing, broadcasting live from Studio one here at Midori House in London, I'm Chris Chermack.
Coming up on today's program, a fiery Giorgia Meloni chastises those who would challenge her budget chops as she fights to project Italy as a fiscally responsible nation at a time when many other countries are struggling to do the same.
After that to the UK which is joining an Asia Pacific trade deal this week, the first country outside the region to do so.
We'll also get the latest headlines from the world of aviation and then it is our final global countdown of the year.
Fernando, what have you crafted for us?
Hello, Chris.
Today we look at the most successful countries musically this year.
Can't wait, Fernando.
All that right here on the Briefing with me, Chris Cermak.
Now, about a decade ago, if you had suggested that Italy would be projecting itself as an island of fiscal stability while countries like Germany, France and the United States are struggling to get their finances in order, well, you would have been laughed out of the room.
But today it is Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni who is defiantly backing a budget that promises fiscal discipline in line with the European Union's fiscal rules.
It's not all smooth sailing for Italy's government, however.
The deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini faces a trial tomorrow that could land him a six year jail sentence.
Well, to unpack some of this, we're joined by Amy Kasman, Rome correspondent for the Financial Times.
Amy, great to have you on the show.
What is the latest, first of all on kind of the wrangling, I suppose, over Italy's budget in Parliament.
Is there any doubt that it will be passed?
Look, Georgia Maloney's ruling coalition, which consists of three parties, has a very strong majority and there really is no doubt that it'll be passed.
The opposition has tried to blow holes in the budget.