Brussels, 08/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 November, Silvio Berlusconi lost his absolute majority in the lower house. According to observers, the Berlusconi government could fall at any moment. The “Cavaliere” has nonetheless managed to have the 2010 balance sheet of the Italian state adopted. The budget was validated by 308 members of parliament (Silvio Berlusconi had hoped for 311). In sign of protest, a further 321, who were present, did not vote. Berlusconi has therefore lost his majority - and calls for his resignation are growing stronger.
The leader of the Democrat Party, Pier Luigi Bersani, has called on the president of the Italian Council to stand down. Umberto Bossi, who heads the Northern League, has also urged him to resign, although an ally of Berlusconi. On Tuesday morning, he suggested that Angelino Alfano, the number one of the PDL (Popolo Della Liberta), Silvio Berlusconi's party, should be appointed to take over from the Cavaliere. Sources familiar with the issue say Berlusconi was to meet the head of state, Giorgio Napolitano, on Tuesday afternoon, not to present his resignation but to decide what should now be done. Berlusconi may soon table a motion of confidence in parliament. (LC/transl.jl)