Thread:The #RecoveryFund negotiations are still in the construction phase anyway: all parties are putting on the table all "unreasonable " conditions they can think of, we will see in Autumn which were real conditions. @vtchakarova @RobertMCutler @Trinhnomics @Halsrethink (1/7) https://twitter.com/amlivemon/status/1284406765992529920

There are of course extenuating circumstances:
Italy (where I am more or less stuck) is in intensive care.... but the relatives don't know it yet. Not asking for #ESM funds is a double mistake: it is the fastest money, and refusing it exposes what Italy won't budge from(2/7)

Italy wants the money, grants or loans (that's,amazingly, immaterial to involved parties) unencumbered by any control on how they are spent. That opens at least two checkmate moves for frugals: (3/7)

1. Of course, insist on strict checks and conditionality on all outlays. That's not a problem, it would follow tradition whereby Italy signs a paper then hushy hushy the #EU grants waivers to.(4/7)

2.the second is MUCH more dangerous to Italy and IMHO could be #Rutte's "killer app": appose a "standard costs and practices" clause on ALL domestic public spending INCLUDING PREVIOUS COMMITMENTS. (5/7)

That the France - Germany - Italy bloc cannot accept. It would probably show that Italy could easily extract the 100bn of total grants PER YEAR simply, pardon my French, by "unfucking itself". (6/7)

In a bout of sadism, #Rutte could propose German public services as the benchmark, thereby embarrassing France twice: not picking them, and having them shut up lest a France - Germany comparison get on the table.(END)