Italy's Monti faces confidence vote over austerity

The government of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti faces a confidence vote in parliament as it seeks to pass crucial austerity measures. His government needs approval for a 33bn euro ($43bn; £27bn) package of cuts and reforms intended to restore confidence in Italy's economy. The vote, to be held in the Chamber of Deputies in the afternoon, should be passed easily, analysts say. Mr Monti, appointed in November, heads a government of unelected technocrats. They are trying to tackle a collapse in market confidence that put Italy at the heart of the eurozone debt crisis. Crucial to the government's plans is a package of tax increases, spending cuts and pension reforms aimed at balancing Italy's budget by 2013. However, analysts say rising borrowing costs and the prospect of a deepening recession still threaten to undermine the government's efforts. On Thursday, Mr Monti said his government would move on to growth-boosting measures after the austerity bill is passed, Ansa news agency reported. Mr Monti, a former EU commissioner, has broad support in parliament. Although the two main parties - the centre-right PDL and the centre-left Democratic Party - have misgivings over parts of the bill, they cannot sabotage it for fear of unleashing economic catastrophe, analysts say. Mr Monti's predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi, said his PDL party would back the government out of a sense of responsibility, not because it agrees with the sacrifices being asked of Italians. The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says there are many on the left who feel that the proposed austerity measures are unfair and that the poorest in society are being asked to bear too much. He says Mr Monti has softened the edges of the austerity package but more opposition can be expected as the sacrifices bite deeper.