Monetary policy is a very powerful tool for influencing the financial markets, the process of creating credit to the economy, consumption and investment decisions, job creation and inflation. But it cannot influence the healthcare system, it cannot make people start going to restaurants and theatres again. There are a great many reasons for pessimism. Can you give any reasons for Italians to be optimistic?
I can give them many reasons. In economic terms, we have a strong private sector with low household indebtedness, an internationally competitive manufacturing sector, a positive balance of payments and a balanced international investment position. We must not let the crisis weaken us. We have improved the situation of the banks, albeit not without effort.