G8 Summit ended with pledge to support growth and Greece

The four day G8 Summit closed out at Camp Davis on Saturday with world leaders coming down in support of growth and saving Greece from the current financial crisis. At the same time, the leaders of the world put the onus on their European counterparts to deal with the financial turmoil before it starts hurting the rest of the world economy.

British PM David Cameron called for “decisive action” and “contingency plan” to combat and tackle the eurozone crisis. He also delicately prodded that the European Central Bank (ECB) should consider printing notes to revive demand in the single currency block.

US President Barack Obama, the host of the Camp Davis Summit, called upon the leaders of France, Germany and Italy to resolve the crisis through restoring public finances and encouraging stimulus. Keeping an eye on his re-election chances, President Obama proposed “stimulus” for job-creating infrastructures, and balancing it with “reforms” in order to address debts and deficits.

Lastly, in order to address the political and economic upheaval in Greece, the leaders of the G8 nations also reaffirmed their interest in keeping Greece within the euro zone. Though, they didn’t propose any solution to tackle the turmoil in Greece.

IMF Chief Lagarde cautions against Greek exit fallout

Following Greek President Carolos Papoulias's decision to nominate a judge as the head of the interim government, the chief of International Monetary Fund (IMF) until the upcoming election, Christine Lagarde, called on prominent Greek leaders to show their commitment to stay with the euro zone on Wednesday. She stressed on the importance of sticking to the bailout agreement – not just for Greece’s own financial and political security but also for the entire euro zone. She also pointed out the possible consequences of such exit – which would be “hard and expensive, and not just for Greece”. Greece is set for a repeat general election on June 17.

What is adding to the fear and speculation in Europe is the rising popularity of political parties in Greece who are against European Union-IMF bailout deal. In the event that an anti-bailout party comes to power following the election, there is a chance that the bail-out deal might come apart and Greece would exit from euro zone.  There is also a fear of its cascading effect on other bigger but vulnerable economies in Europe, especially Spain and Italy.

Top EU officials have already warned Greece that complying with the terms of the bailout package is mandatory in order to receive international monetary aid.

Mario Monti presents roadmap to kick start Italian economy

On Friday, Prime Minister Mario Monti proposed a set of plan to infuse oxygen into debt-stricken Italian economy. Among his proposed plan are € 7.1 billion investment in infrastructure, adding 500 new notaries and speeding up country’s legal system, issuing 5000 pharmacy licenses to encourage new business, giving freedom to gas stations to select their providers to encourage competitions, making natural gas prices more competitive and removing bottle neck in public work projects. The Italian Prime Minister earlier had to climb down on his plan to issue new taxi licenses following days of frequent taxi strikes around Rome and other cities.

The set of package proposed by the Mario Monti on Friday was his second attempt as Prime Minister to boost up economy in Italy. His first attempt was on last month when he announced € 30 billion austerity plan. Monti believes that inadequate infrastructure, red tape and too little competition are the main enemies of progress in Italy.

The latest measures that are soon going to come before the parliament is keen to end “protectionist practices” enjoyed by taxi drivers, lawyers, pharmacy owners, among others in Italy. This is believed to jump start the Italian economy on the right path and bring down its €1.9 trillion economic debt.

Italian PM Mario Monti’s austerity drive gets lower house approval

Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti’s austerity plan cruised to victory in the Chamber of Deputies’ confidence vote on Friday. The overwhelming victory of 495 to 88 in the lower house is expected to increase Italy’s chance in receiving bailout package amounting to € 33-billion or $43 billion. Mario Monti still has to get the final approval of the Senate (upper house of the parliament) next week for the smooth passage of austerity package.

Italy’s ‘Super Monti’ is currently under immense pressure from leaders of Europe to put a cap on spending and generate funds to boost Italian economy. Once the austerity bill is passed by both houses of parliament, Mario plans to implement a series of measures to address Italy’s huge debt crisis and balance 2013 budget through increased tax and pension reforms. Some of the immediate steps government of Italy is likely to take are - reintroducing ‘tax on first homes’ (earlier abolished by the previous Berlusconi government), hiking real estate tax and also some growth incentives.

Though Italian Premier’s austerity plan enjoys parliamentary consensus, many in the main opposition parties are skeptical that the proposed measures might be unfair on the poor in society. They are going to be the hardest hit of the austerity cut.

Italy’s Mario Monti proposes big plan for reform and growth

After coming to power on Wednesday, Mario Monti’s new government on Thursday made public its plan to bring in stringent reforms to turn around country’s economy. The highlights of the measures proposed by the new Italian PM are ¬– budget cut, revenue hike, change in labor law and pension system and bringing down tax evasion.

From what appears to be a major shift since ex Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s departure, the present Italian government has made its priorities clear and its intention sincere. Italy is not afraid to take on the challenge posed by debt crisis. Mario Monti urged that how fast and successfully Italy can come out of debt crisis would also have a positive and significant bearing on ‘Euro’ and the Euro zone. For that Italy needs to act fast and push for sweeping changes. Monti, the ex- EU commissioner, said that he is counting on the European Union to lend support to Italy.

On Thursday's confidence vote, the Italian Prime Minister has got thumping victory from his Senate. He is set for another confidence vote on Friday.

Mario Monti on the hot seat as new Italian Premier

Only a day after the exit of Berlusconi, Giorgio Napolitano as the President of Italy gave his formal approval to Mario Monti to become the new Prime Minister on Sunday. In doing so, the cool and competent 68-year-old Monti has replaced the charismatic and flamboyant Silvio Berculoni to head Italy. Lovingly called ‘Super Monti’, the new Italian Premier has recently received the “senator for life” title from the Italian President for his distinguished role as an economist and as ex-European Commissioner.

It is said that Mario Monti had initially showed interest to form a coalition government, but after most of the major parties showed their reluctance, that idea was shelved. It is now expected that the new cabinet would consist largely of technocrats.

As the new Italian Premier, Mario’s priority will be to implement austerity measures, arrest Italy’s piling debt crisis and win back the confidence of financial markets. Not an easy task, considering that Monti will be closely watched not only by his own country, but also by the EU leaders and skeptical investors. It is indeed ‘the’ testing time for Italy’s Super Mario and also a nerve-racking moment for Europe who are desperate to cut back on Euro risk (currency).

Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi bows out of Prime Ministership

Silvio Berlusconi, the longest-serving Italian Premier since World War II, stepped down on Saturday. His exit marks an end to a political career spanning almost two decades. The resignation of the three-time elected Premier in Italy came immediately after the parliament gave sanction to austerity measures to address debt crisis.

With Berlusconi’s big exit, President Giorgio Napolitano is now expected to appoint a new government, probably headed by a technocrat. The name that is coming up as the most likely candidate for the prime ministerial’s post is that of Mario Monti. His role as a respected economist and also as former European Commissioner gives him an edge over others in leading Italy through the current debt crisis and stepping up economic reforms. Monti is also said to enjoy the support of financial and European institutions.

The priority of the new government would be to step up measures to reduce Italy’s huge public debt (amounting to 1.9 billion Euros), steer its economy on the path of growth and to get back investors’ confidence in Italian economy.

Though Silvio Berlusconi’s party, Pasok, has given its support to Mario Monti, they might want to have a say in the composition of new cabinet.

Italian Premier selected Angelino Alfano as the next party head

On Wednesday, the outgoing Prime Miniter of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, pushed for early elections in 2012 . The Italian Premier claimed that he is not going to contest in the next election. But the longest-serving Italian Prime Minister named Angelino Alfano, as the head of People of Freedom party and likely candidate for the Prime ministerial’s post.

In the mean time, the fear of Italy’s debt crisis worsened on Tuesday as its financial market reacted adversely to the news. Its 10-year government bonds hit a shocking 6.95 percent, a jump of another 0.37 percent from Tuesday’s high. Experts have estimated that over the next few years, Italy would need 825 billion to 907 billion Euros in capital flow to tide through the debt crisis.

Silvio Berlusconi offered to vacate his chair on Tuesday after losing overall majority in Parliament. The announcement came after Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition managed 308 votes out of 316 votes, 8 votes short from absolute majority. The 70-year-old dominant Italian figure would, however, stay until budget reforms are passed by the Italian Parliament. As of yet, no date has been confirmed regarding vote on budget, but it is likely to be later this month.