Prodi plan to liberalise services risks strikes at petrol stations

Italian petrol service station operators announced 22 January 207 a two-day strike in protest at a proposal by the centre-left government of Romano Prodi, Prime Minister, to open the sector to more competition. The planned strike illustrates how privileged interest groups are resisting Mr Prodi's efforts to boost Italy's low economic growth rates by liberalising protected professions and services.