Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

Italian economy was more stable and therefore unlikely
to need a bailout from the EU. Furthermore, the austerity
measures implemented by Prime Minister Monti
were seen as an improvement to those implemented by
Prime Minister Berlusconi. 26 It was recognized that recovery
would be slow and that GDP would initially decrease;
however, this was seen as a necessary step toward
recovery. 27
- The majority of the early articles emphasized the inability
of Prime Minister Berlusconi’s government to
properly respond to the economic crisis. Prime Minister
Berlusconi’s lack of professionalism marginalized
him in the eyes of many. 28 This trend was reversed
when Mario Monti’s government took power in November
2011, as an increasing number of articles highlighted
the cooperation between the leaders of Italy,
Germany and France over the crisis. 29
- A number of the articles also focused on the increasing
debt level of Italian households. This debt was paired
with increasing national levels of inflation and it was
made clear that the situation was not likely to improve
in the near future. 30 Italian indebtedness was portrayed
as a result of a worsening economic crisis and was
paired with increasing levels of unemployment, primarily
among women and youth and increased
layoffs. 31
Pension Reform and Labour Legislation
- The EU pressed Italy to undertake a pension reform in
September and October of 2011. The reform was
passed on October of 2011 and saw the retirement age
increase to 67 years. 32 This was part of a plan to see
Italy achieve a balanced budget by 2013 and a budget
surplus by 2014, while simultaneously decreasing its
public debt. 33 Labour legislation was also passed that
made it easier for industries to implement layoffs in
order to remain competitive. 34
- Both pieces of legislation were met with significant criticism
domestically, as the Italian government was seen
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