Italy prepares to pass austerity package

Italy’s Senate approved the centre-right government’s controversial €25bn austerity package on the 15 July 2010, with Silvio Berlusconi resorting to a vote of confidence to ram through his cuts in the face of considerable dissent from within his own coalition.

The unpopular package was then expected to be taken to the lower house for final approval, again in a vote of confidence, by the end of July 2010.

BBC News, 15.7.10: Berlusconi wins 'austerity' vote on economic plans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10657045

ESO: Background information: Italian cabinet prepares austerity package http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-cabinet-prepares-austerity-package/

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