Italian center-right coalition leader and incoming Premier Silvio Berlusconi warned on Wednesday that unpopular measures would be necessary to turn Italy's ailing economy around and modernize the country.
Speaking at a joint press conference with other leaders in his center-right alliance, Berlusconi said, "Difficult moments are ahead ... The reforms that are necessary will also have unpopular contents."
The unusually sombre tones used by the 71-year-old media tycoon, who stormed back to power for a third time in Italy's April 13-14 general election, reflected the serious problems facing the country.
Italy is teetering on the brink of recession, with GDP growth put at only 0.3 percent this year by the International Monetary Fund.
Strapped by the third-biggest debt mountain in the world, the country is lagging behind its euro-zone partners.
Consumer spending has fallen as Italians struggle with some of the lowest wages in the euro zone and a hike in inflation which has included food prices.
The near-bankruptcy of Italian flag carrier Alitalia, an ongoing trash crisis in Naples and a scare over dioxin-tainted mozzarella have also knocked morale.
Italians are hoping that Berlusconi will use the muscle he has gained from an unexpectedly big election win to pass much-needed reforms and set the country back on its feet.
EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia urged Italy on Tuesday to follow Prodi's "extremely successful" debt-cutting efforts.
Berlusconi has promised spending cuts but he has also vowed to lower income taxes, raise minimum pensions and abolish council taxes on first homes. He also made a last-minute pledge to abolish automobile and scooter taxes.
Source:Xinhua
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