The euro hikes prices
From Alessia Iacovone Sir: I wonder what makes Bruce Anderson (Politics, 9 August) and, indeed, most of the British media think that EU citizens living in the UK would vote in favour of the euro if allowed to vote in a referendum here. In fact, I like to think it would be quite the opposite and that Blair might want to reconsider if he's counting on 'our' support over the euro. In Italy (I am from Rome), prices have
considerably increased since the introduction of the euro — some have doubled — while salaries and pensions have stayed the same. There the government is sponsoring television commercials enticing people back to the shops, while consumer associations are planning no-shopping days in September to protest against the unjustified price hikes. A recent survey in Italy showed that most people who were asked if they would rather have the lira hack answered yes. In Germany, where I spend some time every year, things are just the same as in Italy, only there the minister for industry and commerce is urging retailers to lower their prices. My Finnish neighbour shares my views as prices in Finland have been increased since the introduction of the euro. The UK is being given the luxury of a referendum while most of Europe had the euro imposed on them. I hope that the British media's fears of EU citizens in the UK being allowed to vote will come true, as this Italian citizen living in London would definitely vote no to the euro.
Alessia lacovone
By email
Previous page
