Berlusconi faces most serious threat to his political survival

PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi faces a confidence vote in parliament Friday, October 14, that is seen as the most serious threat to his political survival since the billionaire media baron was swept into power nearly two decades ago.

With an electorate weary of the scandals engulfing the premier and worried about Italy's economy, Berlusconi is facing repeated calls for his resignation from his political rivals, labor unions and parts of the business community that once considered him their savior.

But the latest threat to his 3 1/2-year-old government has come from within his own fractious coalition: Earlier this week, parliament's lower house failed to approve an article of the budget review by a single vote. Berlusconi's own financial minister missed the balloting by 30 seconds.

The failure of the measure prompted opposition lawmakers to demand Berlusconi's immediate resignation and the country's ceremonial president to urge the premier to prove his government still retained a parliamentary majority. The confidence vote will test that, and if the vote fails the 75-year Berlusconi will have to resign.

Berlusconi made clear in a 15-minute address Thursday that he has no intention of stepping down - and that if he loses, the only alternative is new elections, not a government of nonpolitical "technicians" as some have proposed.

"The government asks for a confirmation of confidence because it is deeply aware of the risks facing the country and because the deadlines imposed by the markets are not compatible with those of certain political rituals," Berlusconi told lawmakers, The Associated Press reported.

Berlusconi has steadfastly hung onto power even as his leadership has been weakened by personal sex scandals that have even brought thinly veiled criticism from Pope Benedict XVI. In addition, he's facing four criminal trials and Italy's increasingly precarious financial position. Three ratings agencies have downgraded Italy's public debt, citing Italy's political gridlock as a key reason.