ROME (AFX) - Italy's prime minister in waiting, Romano Prodi, has announced plans to revamp the budget drawn up by his predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi, to prevent a deterioration in the state of the public finances, following a warning by the IMF which said lingering political uncertainty affect its economic growth prospects.
'We will study the accounts carefully and take a quick decision,' he said in an interview with public broadcaster RAI.
IMF Italian specialist Alessandro Leipold earlier told reporters 'there are risks weighing on the growth outlook for Italy.'
He cited 'high energy prices, an appreciating euro and higher long-term interest rates, as well as political uncertainty,' in particular if the formation of a new government under Prodi is delayed.
Prodi, who won the general election of April 9 and 10 by a hair's breadth, also said he would work on forming his government.
'We will not have many ministers,' he said. His predecessor's team counted 99 members, 28 of them ministers. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/cml COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited