Italian government in crisis as Renzi calls for change

ROME, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi called on Prime Minister Enrico Letta to step down on Thursday and said their party, the biggest in the ruling coalition, should choose a new premier to lead the government.

Italy debt to reach peak of 130.4% in 2013: government

MILAN: Italy's public debt level will reach a peak of 130.4 per cent of gross domestic product ( GDP) this year, according to a long-term budget programme issued on Wednesday that forecasts growth will pick up and debt go down starting from next year.

Italy to pay 40 billion euros of state debt to companies

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's caretaker government said on Saturday it would pay 40 billion euros ($52 billion) that the state owes to private companies over the next 12 months, while vowing to stick within the European Union's deficit limit.

Silvio Berlusconi, in major speech, promises sweeping tax cuts

ROME: Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi announced his "last great electoral and political battle" on Sunday with a sweeping promise to cut taxes and the cost of government if his centre-right wins elections this month.

Italy 2012 wage inflation lowest since 1983, half consumer price inflation rate

Italian wages in 2012 grew at less than half the rate of consumer price inflation, data showed on Monday, helping to explain the worst slump in consumer spending for more than half a century.

Italy output drop shows economy in mire as poll looms

ROME: Italian industrial output fell a bigger-than-expected 1.0 per cent in November, suggesting the economy remains deep in recession as the country braces for a national election next month.

Worst of Euro Crisis is Over, German Finance Minister Schaeuble Says

The worst of the euro zone sovereign debt crisis is over, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said in an interview to be published on Friday.

Italy's Monti opens door to seeking new term

ROME (Reuters) - Two days after stepping down, Mario Monti announced on Sunday he would consider seeking a second term as Italian prime minister if approached by allies committed to backing his austere brand of reforms.

Euro-pocalypse not now

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The ancient Maya may not have had much to say about Europe's shared currency, but there were plenty of others willing to predict the euro would meet its doom in 2012.

Europe hails outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti as Italy crisis hits markets

ROME: European partners heaped praise on outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Monday, and called for the next government to stick to his reform agenda after his surprise decision to resign rattled financial markets.

Italian Bonds Decline as Berlusconi Threatens Government

Italian 10-year government bonds posted their first weekly drop in four after former Premier Silvio Berlusconi threatened to withdraw his party’s support for Prime Minister Mario Monti’s coalition government.

Italy's lower house approves Monti's budget plans

(Reuters) - Italy's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a package of budget measures including a sales tax hike and a cut in some payroll taxes, aimed at helping the government reach its deficit-cutting targets.

Monti Calls for More Crisis-Fighting Urgency in ECB Standoff

Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti warned of a potential breakup of Europe without greater urgency in efforts to lower government borrowing costs, as a standoff over European Central Bank help for Italy and Spain hardened.

The Euro Crisis: When Will It End?

The eurozone crisis is over two years old now. It’s no longer crawling. This baby is walking and has a mind all her own. And my, what an ugly little critter this kid is, isn’t she?

Euro crisis: Monti upbeat, but unemployment rises

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti has said he sees "light at the end of the tunnel" on the eurozone debt crisis. Mr Monti met French President Francois Hollande in Paris after which the two renewed their support for the euro.

Crisis-Hit Nations Fight to Prepare for Olympics

With one hurdle left, something snapped. It wasn't a bone or anything that serious, but Greek athlete Periklis Iakovakis somehow lost power and quickly dropped from first to last in the European Championship 400-meter hurdles final, unable to summon enough energy to keep going strong.

No let-up for Spain, Italy pain from Greek vote

MILAN/MADRID: Any hopes Italy and Spain may have had that the Greek election result would ease pressure on their own debt crises were dashed early on Monday when financial markets reacted as if nothing had changed.

EU crisis: Mario Monti raises spectre of crisis amid protests

MILAN/ROME: Italy is again flirting with economic disaster, Prime Minister Mario Monti said, as huge crowds massed in Rome in protest at his austerity measures a day ahead of an election in Greece that threatens to destabilise the whole euro zone.

Could Italy be next? Fears after Spain bank rescue

Even as the global economic community hailed an agreement to rescue Spain's stricken banks, there was concern in Rome on Sunday that investors could now begin treating Italy as the next weak link in the eurozone.

Italy's Monti faces vital test on labor reform

ROME (Reuters) - Prime Minister Mario Monti began a final push on Tuesday to forge a deal with trade unions on labor reform that is a crucial test of his ability to revive Italy's chronically uncompetitive economy.