ITALY: Italian prime minister Romano Prodi has cut his own salary and that of his ministers by 30 per cent in Italy's belt-tightening 2007 budget, data revealed yesterday showed.
A document detailing the fine print of the myriad measures included in the budget, approved after frantic cabinet negotiations last Friday, showed that Mr Prodi's annual
salary will be reduced by €36,901 . His 25 ministers will each see their wages cut by €24,601. The government's 75 undersecretaries will also take
home lower pay, allowing the cash-strapped state coffers to save a total of €2.3 million next year.
Meanwhile, a pseudo-rap video starring Mr Prodi - without his consent - is infuriating allies who say the song degrades the government and should be banned from state airwaves. The video steals awkward moments from an embattled speech by Mr Prodi before parliament, which had to be suspended after heckling from opponents interrupted him nine times.