Mr Salvini wants to build a Eurosceptic voting block in the EU (Image: GETTY)
A recent poll showed rising support among Italians for Eurosceptics running in the May 23 European parliament election. Last month EU judges ruled that Italy’s rescue plan for an ailing bank back in 2014 was legal and overturned a European Commission’s decision that rejected the plan. The landmark ruling sparked calls for EU compensation for the 200,000 savers, many of whom had average salaries and were hit hard.
While the previous administration set aside £86 million (€100 million) to meet part of the reimbursement figure, the new government plans to use £1.3 billion (€1.5 billion) of its funds to repay losses.
Prime minister Giuseppe Conte refused to rule out the possibility of Italy chasing the EU to secure damages.
Luigino D’Angleo, a pensioner who lost £64,500 (€75,000), committed suicide and subsequently became a symbol of the ordinary people who found themselves stuck between powerful banker and EU bureaucrats.
The European Commission is still considering whether it will launch an appeal again the court’s decision.
