Berlusconi wins,but uncertainty remains in Italy

Berlusconi,whose coalition was rocked in July comfortably won the vote of confidence by 342 votes to 275.

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday his victory in a parliamentary vote of confidence had strengthened his centre-right coalition,but doubts remain over the intentions of a key former ally.

“The majority is stronger. The chamber (of deputies,lower house) has approved the vote of confidence with a broader and more pronounced majority than in 2008. That’s what counts,not confused electoral calculations,” Berlusconi said in a speech to the Senate the morning after the vote.

Berlusconi,whose coalition was rocked in July when longtime ally Gianfranco Fini walked out of the government,comfortably won the vote of confidence by 342 votes to 275,when Fini’s 34 dissidents lent their support.

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However,it was clear on Thursday that Berlusconi,who just weeks ago held a comfortable majority in parliament,faced a changed political landscape.

Italian commentators pointed out that the vote emphasized the extent to which Berlusconi’s People of Freedom coalition will now have to rely on Fini to reach a majority,309 votes,in this and any future vote over the remaining three years of his mandate.

Fini MP Carmelo Briguglio drove home the point early on Thursday saying that without the support of the lower house speaker’s new Future and Freedom group,”the government wouldn’t exist any more”.

Berlusconi’s straight-talking stalwart ally,Umberto Bossi,head of the right wing Northern League,grudgingly concurred.