(Image Source: Wikimedia)

BY ORKIDE IZCI

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi -- from hosting ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties to calling his own country - well... another word for “crappy.”  Now -- media are saying -- Italy’s austerity plan could drive him out of office as workers went on strike nationwide. CNN reports:

“There are talkings that there is a possible formation of an emergency government possibly led by technotrats and economists and this could be the end of Berlusconi’s 17 years as a leader of center-right in Italy”

Under pressure from Mr. Berlusconi, the Italian Parliament is expected to vote yes Wednesday on 45.5 billion-euros  -- or $64.5 billion -- of unpopular austerity cuts.  

The plan will increase the retirement age and taxes -- as well as set forth a measure to combat tax evasion.
 
Italy’s largest union called for the strike. Throughout the country people took the streets to express their anger at the cuts.  Euronews got a taste of public opinion:

Protester 1: “I think Italian people are in a deep sleep.  This demonstration is meant to wake them up.  Because the government is driving them into an abyss."
Protester 2: “This is the first step of a crucial autumn...”
Reporter: “...this protester says amid a strike that badly hit public services and transport...”
Protester 2: “...our generation needs to fight back.”


The Bank of Central Europe required Italy to take austerity measures in exchange for the bank borrowing Italian debt during the financial crisis.  So why are people upset?  Well, Mr. Berlusconi’s government made some unpopular modifications.  The New York Times reports...

“...the latest incarnation of the austerity package would change Italian labor law to allow businesses to bypass national labor contracts, making it easier to hire and fire workers — a move . . .that labor unions vehemently oppose.”

Many businesses, public transit, and government offices were closed or disrupted because of the strike.  The head of Italy’s largest Union says it will go to Constitutional Court to fight the measures.  She spoke with Al Jazeera...

“The plan must work on growth, instead of depressing the economy, work on the quality of work and services, instead of cutting and depressing them”

As Italy faces widespread protests -- the rest of Europe looks on warily. Reuters reports -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the situation in Italy -quote “extremely fragile.”