Commenting on the less-than-stellar reaction to Italy’s budget proposals from the EU, Mr di Maio continued: “If the EU wants to talks with us, we’ll set up camp in Brussels and talk for as long as they want to. But if there is any prejudice we have no hope.

“If I have to pick between people who hold grudges against Italy and Italian citizens, I’ll always pick Italians.”

Mr Juncker has insisted that the EC will not interfere, saying: “It is up to Italian policy-makers to find rules and measures that will allow Italy to remain within the agreed budgetary targets.”

Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici however has dismissed this approach and suggested Brussels could hit Rome with its entire power.

Mr Moscovici said: “The Italian Government presented a government budget with a 2.4% deficit not only for this year but over the next three years to come which is a significant deviation to what was committed before.

“It may lead to public expenditure that makes you popular for a while, but who pays in the end?

“The European Commission will exert all of its powers not to impose austerity but in the defence of the Italian and European interests.”