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02 October 2013

BBC: Italy crisis - PM Letta wins vote after Berlusconi U-turn


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Italian Premier Enrico Letta has won a confidence vote after a last-minute U-turn by former PM Silvio Berlusconi. (Includes remarks from President Barroso.)


Berlusconi had initially promised to topple the government by withdrawing his party's support - a move which prompted the Senate vote. But he backed down when it became clear that several of his senators would back the government.

Mr Letta had earlier said that if he were defeated in the vote, it might prove a "fatal risk" for Italy. In the event he won easily: the Senate voted 235 to 70 in favour of the government. Some of Berlusconi's most hardline followers left the chamber and did not vote at all. 

The result of the vote increases the possibility of Berlusconi being thrown out of the Senate on the grounds he is a convicted criminal. On Friday a Senate committee is due to vote on whether to strip him of his seat following his conviction for tax fraud.

In his address to the Senate, Mr Letta defended his government's performance and said Italy "runs a risk, a fatal risk" if it were to fall. He said: "Give us your confidence to realise [our] objectives. Give us your confidence for all that has been accomplished... a confidence vote for Italy and Italians.''

Full article


Responding to questions from media on the latest political developments in Italy, President Barroso said:

"The Commission continues to believe that political stability is vital for Italy and it is therefore very positive that the Italian government will be able to continue uninterrupted with the reforms it has embarked on. It is indeed crucial to avoid an artificial political crisis which can undermine investor confidence in Italy's economic recovery efforts. This is of decisive importance, not only for Italy, but also for the eurozone and the EU as a whole."

Press release



© BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation


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