Silvio to make austerity plan a trust vote

Jul 09, 2010 |

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Silvio Berlusconi

July 8: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday he would make Parliament’s approval of a 24.9-billion-euro austerity package — fiercely opposed by Italy’s regions — a vote of confidence. The government asked for a confidence vote “because this is a fundamental measure for the financial stability of our country,” Mr Berlusconi and finance minister Giulio Tremonti said.

The decision was immediately criticised by the left-wing Opposition: Mr Berlusconi’s government has a strong parliamentary majority. Under the plan, Italy’s regions would be expected to shave $10.7 billion off their budgets: about half of the total public expenditure cuts to be made as part of the package. The regions object that the cuts are unsustainable for their finances. Mr Berlusconi and Mr Tremonti will meet with the heads of regions on Friday.

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