Italy Eyes Privatization as Market Tension Eases

Reuters @ Common Dreams - The Italian government bolstered an austerity package on Wednesday, announcing its intention to sell stakes in state-owned companies, while political consensus on debt-cutting measures helped calm nervous markets.

Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti said the four-year austerity package, aimed at bringing the budget into balance by 2014, would be approved by Friday and promised to step up privatisation moves once the crisis was over.  Read more.