S&P Downgrades Italy

The Takeaway

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded Italy’s debt one notch late on Monday. The Italian government is furious this morning at S&P’s decision to lower the rating from A+ to A. S&P defended its decision, citing Italy’s weak economic growth and high levels of government debt. The agency also expressed doubts over the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Parliament’s ability to manage the growing crisis. David Willey, Rome correspondent for the BBC, and Paolo Guzzanti, author and member of Italian Parliament, react to the downgrade.

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.