Stefano Lepri
Stefano Lepri (b.1950) is an Italian journalist who has worked on the economic desk of La Stampa since 1981. He also teaches financial journalism at the Sapienza University of Rome. In 2000-03 he edited Global FP, the short-lived Italian version of Foreign Policy.
Updated: 17 August 2011
Despite the efforts of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to appease German public opinion, his own countrymen deplore the nationalist and anti-European mood in Germany. The blame lies with preconceived ideas - and with Italy's position too, writes La Stampa. 
As speculation rages about a Greek exit from the eurozone, we must grasp that the country cannot survive without the single currency and that Europe cannot afford to let it leave. That's why everyone should put their cards openly on the table. 
The European economy appears to have survived the worst of the crisis and to be on the road to recovery. However, progress towards this goal is is hampered by political hesitations and politicians doubts about their performance in future elections. 
The steps proposed by Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy during their meeting on August 16 are useful for tackling the debt crisis – and the crisis could have been avoided if they had been taken months ago.