Locals plan a general strike over decision to construct an Alpine tunnel through to France, that they say will cause huge environmental damage

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro was a Catholic politician whose anachronistic virtues, in particular his complete honesty and his commitment to the constitution, came to Italy's rescue during the gravest political crisis of the post-war era, the corruption scandal which erupted in 1993.

The leaders of Italy and Germany dealt a blow to France's hopes for a financial transaction tax yesterday, indicating they could only support it if it applied to the whole European Union and not just the eurozone.

The German chancellor Angela Merkel pressed for the removal of the former premier Silvio Berlusconi “in order to save the Euro”, according to a report that has caused a political storm in Italy.

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For complicated reasons, I found myself on a ferry in rural northern Italy this week. I struck up a conversation with a friendly middle-aged Italian lady who was travelling the same route as me and after small talk about the weather, the region and where we were both headed, the conversation turned to politics.

Former chairman?

Yes, he's resigned his post at the Italian defence and aerospace group amid corruption allegations that saw his board strip him of most of his powers. They went to Giuseppi Orsi, who replaced Mr Guarguaglini in April as chief executive ofFinmeccanica, and with whom he has since clashed.

Italy will today embark on a controversial 18-month gamble to turn around its finances and rescue the euro by handing over control to an administration of entirely unelected technocrats with strong links to Brussels and international finance.

Italy will embark on a controversial 18-month gamble today to improve its finances and rescue the euro by handing control to an administration of unelected technocrats with strong links to Brussels and international finance.

Economist Mario Monti tonight agreed to try to form a new government as Italy tries to avoid financial disaster.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he would not run again when his term expires in 2013 and nominated Justice Minister Angelino Alfano as his successor to lead the centre right into the next election.

Silvio Berlusconi overcame coalition infighting to win a vote of confidence yesterday, his first parliamentary test since suffering two stinging electoral losses.

Silvio Berlusconi's already battered government last night saw voters take an axe to much of the key legislation it has introduced since the 74-year-old tycoon returned to power three years ago.