By Wil Longbottom Last updated at 4:45 PM on 16th January 2012 A third of Italians think it would be better for their country to return to the lira, a poll has revealed today. The survey, published in the Corriere della Sella, also said 65 per cent of those polled thought the introduction of the single currency had been more damaging than beneficial for the Italian economy. And confidence in the European Union stands at its lowest level in many years - just 51 per cent. Step backwards? A third of Italians would prefer to ditch the euro and return to using the lira
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Italian poll reveals 65% though introduction of euro had damaged the country
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ISPO survey also reveals confidence in the EU has fallen to 51% - lowest level in years
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Moody's agency refuses to downgrade French triple A rating
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Nine eurozone countries, including France, downgraded by Standard and Poor's on Friday
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Germany warns downgraded countries they must provide more security for European Financial Stability Fund
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Greece faces tough second week of negotiations to avoid crippling bankruptcy
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Markets respond favourably to downgrades with FTSE up 0.43%
In its announcement, Moody's cited the @placeholder economy's overall strength but said bleak growth prospects presented 'risks to the French government's fiscal consolidation plans'.