Is Berlusconi Contemplating A Move?
Sober Look | Oct 31, 2012 03:23AM ET
Silvio Berlusconi has been a supporter of Monti's government until recently. But there is a possibility the former Prime Minister may decide to re-enter politics once again. This is particularly troubling, not only due to the risk of Berlusconi rolling back Monti's austerity measures but also because the man is a crook - there simply isn't another way to put it. On Friday he was convicted of tax fraud by a court in Milan. OK, that happens to a politician or two. But this is not the first time for Mr. Berlusconi.
Chicago Tribune : - The election for a regional government in Sicily is a major test ahead of a national poll in April but the picture has been confused by Berlusconi's threat at the weekend to pull support from Prime Minister Mario Monti and bring down his government before an election expected in April.
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Berlusconi's angry attack on Monti's technocrat government, which his center-right People of Freedom (PDL) group has supported in parliament for almost a year, underscored the political confusion ahead of next year's national vote.
The billionaire former prime minister, convicted of tax fraud last week, attacked Monti's austerity policies on Saturday, announcing that the PDL may withdraw its support and bring the government down.
Mr. Berlusconi has been also known to make jabs at Monti before this attack, insinuating that the Prime Minister is a puppet of Germany or is controlled by bankers. This rift has split the main center-right party People of Freedom (PDL) into Berlusconi's and Monti's supporters. With Monti not expected to run in the next election, Berlusconi could potentially make a move. Whatever the case, next year's elections in Italy will be critical, as Monti's efforts to put the government on a fiscally sustainable path (that finally gave Italy some credibility) could easily be reversed, threatening the recent signs of stability in the Eruzone.
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