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This R&D provides resources on the Italian economy.  One of the ailing economies of the European Union (EU), Italy’s banking system has received a poor review by EU stress tests due to the fact that they hold  €360 billion in underperforming loans.  Since Italy’s government has worked to guarantee the debts of its banks, this could impair its fiscal position and it is causing significant headaches for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who hopes that economic problems do not imperil a looming referendum on constitutional changes.