Brussels 17 May (ANA) - The EU has been plunged into further financial chaos after Italy's national debt soared to a record high. New figures released by the Bank of Italy shows the country's national debt was €2.26trillion (£1.94tn) in March. The statistics will send shockwaves through Brussels as officials desperately try to keep the eurozone together. Italy's GDP growth has also slumped in recent months, in a major boost for Eurosceptic party the Five Star Movement. The party, led by comedian Beppe Grillo, has called for a referendum on ditching the euro and readopting the lira. The only good news for Italy's economy is that state tax revenues have risen. They increased by 2.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2016.(ANA)

FA/ANA/17 May 2017--------