Italy unions protest over projected decline in school spending

FILE PHOTO: Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi speaks during a joint news conference with Italy's Economy Minister Daniele Franco (not pictured) on the government's new fiscal targets in Rome, Italy, September 29, 2021. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) - Italian government forecasts showing a steady decline in education spending triggered an angry reaction on Monday from the country's trade unions, which threatened strikes and protests.

The government's multi-year economic planning document (DEF) published on Friday showed education expenditure projected to fall to 3.5% of gross domestic product in 2025 from 4% in 2020.