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Desperate Berlusconi teeters towards farce

Just when European leaders are rediscovering their resolve to fix the eurozone debt crisis and gaining market confidence on the way, Italy under the long reign of Silvio Berlusconi appears trapped in a time warp that is bordering on the farcical.

On Friday, for the 51st time since he returned to office in 2008, Mr Berlusconi’s government faces a vote of confidence in parliament. Even should he survive by a handful of votes, as many expect, the outcome is likely to confirm that his 18-year grip over Italy’s disparate centre-right forces is... (continua sul Financial Times)

By Guy Dinmore in Rome 

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Silvio, time to go

Silvio Berlusconi has never been shy of showing off the many records he holds. Yet, the fact that his government is the first to fail to win approval of Italy’s consolidated public accounts is one that even the master showman will not be able to boast about. After this week’s setback, he today faces a vote of confidence. This is the second, after a similar showdown last December.

Ever since last winter’s vote, il Cavaliere has been riding his luck, in a classic exercise of parliamentary brinkmanship that has delighted his supporters. However, this very achievement has led Italy into a political stalemate, preventing the passage of structural reforms the country desperately needs. This has contributed to the crisis of confidence that is undermining Italy’s fiscal position as well as the survival of the eurozone. (continua sul Financial Times)