EU: Berlusconi says Italy should print money, Germany can leave euro if it disagrees

Rome, 1 June (AKI) - Italy should start printing money and Germany can leave the eurozone if it dosesn't like it, ex-Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday.

"Here's the crazy idea I have in mind," he said . "Let's start printing euros with our mint," he said at a Rome meeting of politicians from his centre-right People of Freedom party.

Berlusconi has called for the European Central Bank to create demand for sovereign debt by stepping in and buying bonds. Higher demand would lower the interest rates for Europe's countries suffering a economic crisis brought on in large part by high debt levels.

Berlusconi resigned in November amid the crisis that threatened to cause an Italian default on interest payments for its 1.9 trillion-euro debt load. The People of Freedom party still has the most seats in Parliament making its support crucial for Mario Monti's unelected emergency government.

"We have tell Europe that the European Central Bank has to start printing money, and change its mission. Otherwise we'll have to say ciao ciao to the euro or tell Germany and France to leave the euro if they disagree," Berlusconi said.