Italy wants to know: Where's the money wasted?
ROME—The Italian government is asking citizens to blow the whistle on wasteful state spending.
Earlier in the week, Premier Mario Monti pledged to find (EURO)4.2 billion ($5.5 billion) in state spending cuts to try to avoid further sales tax hikes. On Thursday, citizens could click on a form on the government web site and indicate where funds are being wasted.
Since the form requires first and last names, some commentators are wondering if it might turn off citizens who fear retaliation for whistle-blowing.
Monti has brought aboard Italian industry turnaround expert Enrico Bondi to help decide what gets cut. Decisions are expected by month's end.
Monti was tapped as premier in November in a bid to save Italy from succumbing to the eurozone debt crisis.
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Italian government website: http://www.governo.it
