Italy elects a new prime minister this weekend. And the economy is very much on the minds of Italian voters. The current front runner is Pier Luigi Bersani, leader of the left-leaning Democratic Party, and a former communist.
As critics pound the euro as the source of their economic problems, and others worry about how its loss could be devastating, many say that the loss of the euro would have another profound effect: a major erosion of the still developing sense of European identity.
As European leaders grapple with a plan to save the eurozone, the whole notion of a European identity is being called into question.
Italy's new prime minister says he wants to build "a future of dignity and hope" for Italy's children.
Silvio Berlusconi is a step closer to leaving office after the Senate approved a package of austerity measures. It's now headed to the lower house. That progress has sent stock markets higher.