ROME, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Italy cannot afford to indulge in wishful thinking that would derail the country's economy just as it leaves its worst post-war recession behind, outgoing center-left Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni warned Wednesday.
Gentiloni's comments appeared to be directed at the two relative winners of Italy's inconclusive March 4 general election: the right-wing League, which made huge gains in the wealthier north with promises of drastic tax cuts, and the populist Five Star Movement, which swept the impoverished south with pledges of a generous universal income.
"The Italian economy and society can't afford an exhibition of wishful thinking, which would drive us off the road," Gentiloni told a press conference on anti-poverty measures passed by his government in September 2017. "We must not throw overboard the work that has been done so far," Gentiloni cautioned.
Both the Five Stars and the League pledged to break European Union rules on public spending if necessary -- policies that would drive up Italy's already bloated public debt, exposing the country's fragile economy to financial speculation and the risk of default.
However their campaign promises resonated with Italian voters, many of whom are yet to experience the benefits of Italy's sluggish economic recovery. Indeed, according to a recent report by CGIA think tank, the number of Italians at risk of poverty has risen from 15 million to 18.1 million people in a decade.
Italy has population of about 60 million, including just over five million legal immigrants, according to 2017 data from ISTAT national statistics bureau.
Gentiloni resigned as prime minister last Saturday, and his administration is staying on to handle day-to-day affairs until a new government is sworn in.
League leader Matteo Salvini and Five Star chief Luigi Di Maio both claim the right to be the next prime minister of Italy. President Sergio Mattarella is set to begin formal government talks in the first week of April.
