ROME  - The online German newspaper Der Spiegel has published an article viciously attacking Italy, compelling the Italian Ambassador in Berlin, Pietro Benassi, to publish a statement criticising the content of the piece.

 The article, signed by Jan Fleischauer, accuses Italy of wanting to “scavenge” off other EU countries. In his attack, the journalist says: “How should one define the behaviour of a nation that firstly asks for something in order to finance its proverbial 'dolce far niente' [“the sweetness of doing nothing”], and then threatens those who pay to settle their debts? An extortionist.”

 “Asking for alms would be wrong. At least beggars say thank you when something is given to them. Aggressive scavengers have a similar conduct to Italy’s.”

 "In effect, we move towards blackmail", Spiegel continues, stating that, "Greece is a trifle compared to Italy."

 "If Italians decide that they don’t want to make their payments, the euro is at its end and Germany will lose all the money it’s invested to save it", it reads.

 Jan Fleischauer then brings Mario Draghi into the picture: "The man who supplied the weapon, which Italy points towards its neighbours, sits in Frankfurt."

 He carries on to say that the president of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) proclamation to do “whatever it takes” at the most critical moment of the euro crisis, “was noted in Rome”… “And now the ECB has no other option but to continue its policy because any rate hike would leave the Italian state unable to pay".

 The article concludes with an almost personal remark: "I have nothing against people who live above their means. For all I care, Italy can continue to practice tax evasion as a national sport. However, what I can’t understand is how they want to pass on the costs of their political decisions to others who have another concept of politics. This is hardly compatible with my concept of democracy."

 "Who would want to be considered an extortionist? Italians, so it seems, have overcome this form of national pride."

 The Italian Ambassador in Berlin, Pietro Benassi, decided to defend his nation saying: “Political dialectics belong to the freedom of the press and to democratic discourse. What leaves a very bad aftertaste is the way in which this criticism is addressed to an entire people.”

 “It’s a very easy and seductive way to rouse people’s minds. Anyone can do it. But,” concludes the ambassador, “it’s a dangerous way to conduct dialectics in Europe. In the end there are only losers."

 Italy was also attacked by the weekly Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, who’s cover on Friday featured the famous Italian exclamation “Mamma Mia!”, and a tricolour Piaggio Ape (a three-wheeled, light commercial vehicle) with the symbols of the Five Star Movement and the Northern League falling off a cliff into the abyss.

 "Italy: the case that gives Europe food for thought: high debt and little prospect of improvement. Populists will now be taking power", reads the subtitle of a long article in which the great difficulties of the country are reconstructed, including its recessions owing to the euro crisis and the problems families and young people face, especially in the South.

 The report also comments on Giuseppe Conte’s resumé: "Is it an obstacle at work if you get caught inflating your curriculum? On Wednesday evening, the answer in Italy is that it’s even possible to become Prime Minister."

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