81.   Workers on Friday walked off the jobs nationwide to protest the pension reform, stopping train and bus services and cutting back hospital services to emergencies only.

82.   France recoiled from confrontation over pension reforms last autumn while upholding a less radical plan to reform the health service.

83.   He says that the Dini government still has specific measures to enact, including pensions reform, before a general election is called.

84.   He said the Republicans also wanted to pass a child tax credit, along with pension reform and reform of regulatory statutes.

85.   In the case of Italy that meant pension reforms, and for France reforms including the sale of state companies because growth and tax revenue were weak.

86.   In the case of Italy that meant pension reforms, and for France the sale of state companies because growth and tax revenue were weak.

87.   A pension reform will have to be adopted by that date, he said.

88.   But even if the government manages to avert a full blown crisis over the appointments it faces another battle in terms of the proposed pension reforms.

89.   Dini has said his interim government will resign once the pensions reform has been passed in full.

90.   Dini, an economist with international credentials, had already tendered his resignation late last month as promised after shepherding budget cuts and pension reform through parliament.