Public debt hits high of 2.1945 trillion

(ANSA) - Rome, June 15 - Italy's public debt hit a new record high of 2.1945 trillion euros in April, up 10 billion euros on the previous high set in March, the Bank of Italy said on Monday. The data was used as ammunition by opposition parties against Premier Matteo Renzi's government. "Even though interest rates are down, the debt keeps going up vertiginously and it is threatening the stability of the public finances and of Italian people's savings," said Elvira Savino, an MP for Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia.
    "Renzi has not just abandoned the young, condemning them to unemployment, but he is also jeopardizing the future of the next generations". Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan rubbished the criticism, saying it was normal for the debt to increase while Italy is running a budget deficit. "This thing about the debt record is really boring," he said.