Italy's Padoan: Left-right coalition possible - RTRS

Reuters reports comments from the Italian Economy Minister Padoan, delivered in an interview with Sunday’s Corriere della Sera, as attention turns towards the March 4 general election.

Padoan that he expected that none of the three main groups or blocs - the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, the left-wing Democratic Party (PD) and an alliance of conservative parties - would be able to govern alone.

When asked about proposals to introduce a flat tax rate, Padoan said the 15-percent rate suggested by the far-right Northern League was not sustainable, while Berlusconi’s suggestion of a figure around 20 percent was “less unsustainable.”

“I would explore a tax reform that would simplify the tax rates reducing them to one or, better, two. But we should avoid benefiting disproportionately higher income earners.”