The association representing Italian magistrates and state prosecutors announced Saturday a series of protests culminating in a July 1 nation-wide strike against proposed pay cuts, dpa reported. Some magistrates could face a 30 per cent salary reduction as part of an austerity budget announced last month by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's conservative government, the association said. The government maintains that slashing public expenditure, including reducing salaries of top bureaucrats, is necessary to reduce the budget deficit by 24 billion euros (29.8 billion dollars) in 2011-12. Criticising the strike announcement, Justice Minister Angelino Alfano, said the association's motive was "political." But the head of the magistrates' association, Luca Palamara, says the judiciary is being targeted with "punitive," measures. -- SPA
