Monti calls for boost to eurozone bail-out firepower

He said that for peripheral eurozone states to enjoy more successful bond sales, “most of the work needs to be done in Europe.”

He also underlined the need for a “united, joint and convincing response.”

“We believe budget discipline is essential and any mechanism that can make this discipline secure and credible is fine, as long as there is a European economic policy,” he said, “that also promotes growth.”

Monti said that he will argue at the EU level for an increase to the size of the bail-out’s firepower, although he did not offer any concrete figures. He also would not comment on the role of the ECB in the crisis, stressing his support for the central bank’s independence.

Monti’s comments came after the Italian treasury raise some €7 billion in bond sales, some way off the €8.5 billion sought from the markets.

However, the auction achieved rates considerably lower than those borne by the country’s last significant bond sale, with 10-year bonds priced at 6.98 percent yields, down from 7.56 percent in November.

Three-year bonds also saw rates drop to 5.62 percent, down from 7.89 percent.

Borrowing costs for the government declined sharply on Wednesday as well, with the rates on six-month bonds falling to 3.25 percent from 6.5 percent from the same bonds offered in November, with the government raising €9 billion on the sale.

Nevertheless, analysts pointed out that investors likely snapped up the bonds off the back of a flood of low-cost lending from the European Central Bank last week.

The ECB offered some €490 billion in three-year loans last week enjoying rates of one percent.

“Auctions held yesterday and today went rather well, but financial turbulence absolutely is not over,” said a cautious Monti on Thursday.

The prime minister went on to outline further details of a programme, dubbed ‘Grow Italy’ of cuts, tax hikes and structural adjustment.

Monti announced a €30 billion austerity package earlier this month, and on Thursday said that key moves will be unveiled in January ahead of an EU summit.

The technocratic government will focus at first on a liberalisation of the service sector and labour legislation.