Italian public debt hits record high of 1972.9 Up from 1966.3 in May

(ANSA) - Rome, August 13 - Italy's public debt reached a record high of 1,972.9 billion euros in June, the Bank of Italy said on Monday.The previous record was set in May, when the national debt stood at 1,966.3 billion euros. The huge debt, which is around 123% of Italy's GDP, is rising despite the government's attempts to put Italy public finances in order in part because the eurozone crisis has pushed up the costs of servicing it.