[rmmcdaniell]

Public debt is 105pc of GDP, and rising fast. Some $192billion of debt is due in 2005. The "spread" between Italian and German bonds has edged up over recent weeks, but there is no sign of real concern.

I don't know why everyone on this thread is blaming the euro. Clearly, the problem is socialist governments that can't control spending....and now can longer just print money to pay for it.

[expatpat]

Italy is one of the few EU countries with a conservative government.

[a freedom-loving italian]

Clearly, the problem is socialist governments that can't control spending...

Clearly the problem is the nutty idea of "one-currency-fits-for-all". The Euro is unfit for Italy, we want back our Lira.