Italy is going to spend €1billion on culture to fight Isis

In response to the Paris attacks Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has announced that Italy will spend €1billion (£700million) each on culture and security.

Renzi said yesterday that half the extra money for culture would go to the decaying suburbs of big cities. And all 18-year-old Italians would get a "culture card" worth €500 to spend on theatres, museums and archaeological sites. Speaking to reporters, Renzi said:

They want terror, we respond with culture that is stronger than ignorance. We will never change our way of life, our identity, and surrender before them.

The Italian way is to spend a euro in culture for every euro spent on security.

Italian Foreign Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, said on Tuesday that participation in air strikes against Isis was "not an option".

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