Italian economy stable, Berlusconi insists

Silvio Berlusconi has lashed out at his German and French counterparts who demanded tough new measures to spur economic growth in Italy, chiding them for trying to “give lessons” to Rome and insisting that his nation’s economy is stable.

The Italian PM’s pointedly critical statement came as he called his cabinet for an emergency meeting to discuss growth measures that the European Union has demanded so Italy does not get further dragged into Europe’s debt crisis.