Juncker's ironic reply to accusations by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker replied with irony to accusations by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini that people like him have ruined Europe. "I hope he (Salvini) will never have to remove the heap of ruins," Juncker told Austrian news agency APA on Friday.

Juncker is in Vienna on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the Austrian Republic, where he gave a speech to parliament.

Salvini attacked Juncker and EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici earlier on Friday, saying they had ruined Europe. He hoped that next year's European parliamentary elections would change the EU political landscape.