ROME — Italy“s financial crisis deepened on Wednesday despite a pledge by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to resign once Parliament passes austerity measures demanded by the European Union.
Notes written Tuesday by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy as he suffered a parliamentary setback included the words “308, 8 traitors,” “political reversal,” “resignation,” “president” and “solution.” The 308 votes he received were 8 shy of a majority.
The move failed to convince investors, propelling Italy’s borrowing costs through a key financial and psychological barrier of 7 percent, close to levels that have required other euro zone countries to seek bailouts.