EU’s Budget Commissioner Says Markets Will Teach Italians Not to Vote for Populists — Italians Respond

The EU’s Budget Commissioner, Günther H. Oettinger, has drawn the ire of Italians after his comments depicting markets ‘teaching’ Italians who they should vote for, plainly stating they shouldn’t be voting for populist candidates.

EU’s Budget Commissioner, Günther H. Oettinger, Says Markets Will Teach Italians Who to Vote For pic.twitter.com/CQhbkMUI2J

— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) May 30, 2018

EU Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger’s comments to DW that market pressures could “play a role” in voting habits in Italy have landed him in hot water. https://t.co/EMcjLlBAR4 pic.twitter.com/h9aoVEuauc

— dwnews (@dwnews) May 29, 2018

This statement by the German EU commissioner #Oettinger will probably go down as one of the most infamous in European history. It caused an enormous media firestorm and was mentioned by both Salvini and Di Maio in their plea to fight German control over Italy. pic.twitter.com/YHstq9wkGL

— Alessandra Bocchi (@alessabocchi) May 30, 2018

As one would expect, these comments served as a dog whistle for anti-establishment Italian activists and politicians to take to twitter to voice their dismay.

Dear Commissioner #Oettinger repeat with us, with Italian people “The sovereignty belongs to the people”, not to European Commission, not to financial markets. #Italy is not a colony of Germany, no more!
We #M5SEuropa will defend italian democracy!#ilmiovotoconta

— Rosa D’Amato (@rosadamato634) May 29, 2018

There are only two viable options for @JunckerEU after #Oettinger ‘s outrageous words on Italy.
Either he asks for his resignation or rather he kicks him out of the @EU_Commission. Right away.

— Ignazio Corrao (@ignaziocorrao) May 29, 2018

Mr. Oettinger has since apologized.

I did not mean to be disrespectful and I apologize for this. Read my full statement on my remarks on #Italy in the @dwnews interview: https://t.co/oCDeGkK1gu @RiegertBernd #oettinger

— Günther H. Oettinger (@GOettingerEU) May 29, 2018

This might have something to do with his apology. Juncker distanced himself from the now rogue Oettinger.

The Commission has now put out an official statement by President Juncker disowning his budget chief Günther Oettinger’s comments about Italy. A highly unusual move that shows how seriously they’re taking this. pic.twitter.com/1jj2ZTnp7i

— Nick Gutteridge (@nick_gutteridge) May 29, 2018