Scandal-hit Silvio Berlusconi addresses parliament amid looming no-confidence vote. Last Modified: 13 Dec 2010 08:07 GMT | ||
The Italian prime minister has addressed parliament ahead of a crucial no-confidence motion, with political commentators predicting he has slim chances of surviving it. Analysts have estimated that the 74-year-old leader may just have the numbers to survive with 314 possible votes against 313 for the combined opposition. A split with a group led by Gianfranco Fini, his former ally, in July cost him a secure parliamentary majority and after months of stalemate, a no-confidence motion in parliament seems likely to be decided by just one or two votes. A no-confidence motion will be brought by opponents in the lower chamber of deputies and a confidence motion by supporters in the senate. "I am optimistic," Roberto Cota, governor of the Piemonte region and a leading figure in Berlusconi's Northern League coalition partners, told SkyTG24 television on Sunday. The result may depend on last-minute changes of heart or outside factors such as whether any of three pregnant deputies expected to vote against the government have to be absent from the chamber. The vote will be closely watched on bond markets which are on high alert over the euro zone debt crisis and which could turn on Italy, one of the most heavily indebted countries in Europe, if the situation threatens financial stability. Even if Berlusconi scrapes through, there is little confidence that he will have the strength to push through the kind of reforms authorities such as the Bank of Italy believe are needed to address deep-seated problems in the economy. | ||
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies |
Monday, 13 December 2010
Italian PM braces for crucial vote
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