Pullout by Socialists puts Italian regime in jeopardy

The powerful Italian Socialist Party decided to pull out of Prime Minister Giovanni Spadolini's coalition government.

Pary sources said seven Socialist ministers would announce their formal withdrawal from the five-party coalition today (Aug. 5) after meeting the party directorate. Political analysts said the move, which followed a furious row in Parliament over austerity economic measures, would bring down Mr. Spadolini's coalition, in which the Socialists are key partners, and lead to fresh elections in the autumn.