Italian lawmakers are making a bold move, pushing an amendment to declare the Bank of Italy's substantial gold reserves as state property. This decision, worth $300 billion in value, has sparked debate about its implications and potential breach of EU rules.
Critics argue that this approach could undermine the autonomy of central banks, which would be a significant departure from established norms. The European Central Bank (ECB) has already expressed concerns over such limitations, warning that it would violate EU treaties governing central bank governance.
The move is rooted in Italy's desire to utilize its gold reserves as a means to alleviate public debt. While this may seem like a viable strategy, the potential risks and unintended consequences are substantial.
To better understand the motivations behind this decision, we spoke with Salvatore Rossi, an Italian economist and former General Director of the Bank of Italy. His insights shed light on the complexities surrounding this contentious issue.
Critics argue that this approach could undermine the autonomy of central banks, which would be a significant departure from established norms. The European Central Bank (ECB) has already expressed concerns over such limitations, warning that it would violate EU treaties governing central bank governance.
The move is rooted in Italy's desire to utilize its gold reserves as a means to alleviate public debt. While this may seem like a viable strategy, the potential risks and unintended consequences are substantial.
To better understand the motivations behind this decision, we spoke with Salvatore Rossi, an Italian economist and former General Director of the Bank of Italy. His insights shed light on the complexities surrounding this contentious issue.