He said, “the sale of a stake in the capital of Poste Italiane will be aimed at increasing the value of the Poste Group, guaranteeing at the same time the quality of services and the maintenance of employment levels”.

Taking questions in the House on the part-privatisation of the Italian postal service, Giorgetti noted that many of his questioners had used the term “selling off cheap”.

“I think that some others have, in the past, ‘sold off cheap’ important assets of the country, but this government certainly won’t do so,” he responded.

Giorgetti said last week that the State won’t go below 35 per cent of Poste, which will still be a controlling stake.

ANSA