Prime Minister Mario Monti, who has won overwhelming support from the Senate, rushed to firm up ambitious proposals to revitalise the economy Friday as Italy’s lower house prepared to vote. The premier is unlikely to meet opposition in the second confidence vote on his new technocrat government after unveiling a series of bold measures to lift Rome out of the eurozone crisis and to win Europe’s support. In his first speech to parliament, Monti announced a plan to balance Italy’s crucial austerity measures with schemes to boost “growth and equity”, including investing in women and the young as well as tackling unfair privileges. Although Monti is racing to implement initiatives demanded by Europe, he assured Italians fearful of losing their sovereignty that the reforms were not being “imposed by external forces,” insisting: “We are Europe.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the premier after his speech for an “in-depth discussion on the economic situation” and voiced their “full support,” Italian authorities said.
