Lombardy region considering own currency
'New money would compliment the euro' says Northern League
04 April, 13:09The regional authority will continue its study into implementing a separate currency for northern Italy, which Maroni said would be "complementary" to the euro.
Further, the national government would be asked to remit "to the region, not less than 75% of tax revenue," generated in the north, Maroni said in a speech.
Taxes should also be collected by local authorities, who would be more competent than the national agency Equitalia, he added.
In tough economic times, he said, the region would benefit from a new payment system and its own currency.
The subject will be further studied with involvement from "key stakeholders, such as banks, associations, institutions, and chambers of commerce".
Maroni's Northern League - which exists to promote independence of the more wealthy, powerful north from the economically weaker south - is closely allied with ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party.
Maroni has said that is because Berlusconi's party has pledged that if it regains control of the government, it would remit the 75% of northern taxes demanded by the League.