Berlusconi mulls response to Fini
PM to meet Bossi after ex-ally's challenge-cum-overture
06 September, 13:12
(ANSA) - Rome, September 6 - Premier Silvio Berlusconi was
Monday mulling whether to grasp an apparent olive branch
contained in a strong attack by former ally turned rival
Gianfranco Fini.On Sunday House Speaker Fini castigated the premier but stopped short of signalling moves that could bring early elections.
He accused the premier of running his People of Freedom (PdL) party like a company, "rolling over" for his key ally the Northern League and "bending the knee" to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who made a controversial visit to Rome last week.
Fini, who has set up his own Future and Freedom (FLI) groups that have deprived the government of a majority in the House, also slammed the PdL's policies on "ethics" and cuts to schools and police, as well as a "disgraceful" muck-raking campaign by Berlusconi-friendly papers against his family.
But he said he would remain "loyal" to PdL voters and would support a five-point platform in a confidence vote expected September 15.
He reserved the right to examine how the revamped government platform - on judicial reform; tax reform; federalism; immigration and crime; and help for the underdeveloped South - would be effectively put into practice.
Fini came out in favour for temporary immunity from prosecution for the premier while in office and offered the premier a "legislative pact" to take the government to the end of its natural term in 2013.
Berlusconi will hold talks with Northern League leader Umberto Bossi Monday evening to decide how to respond to his former heir-apparent's long-awaited speech.
Bossi has already said "the government won't last" but another advisor, PdL House whip Fabrizio Cicchitto, said the administration could "go forward" as long as Fini meant what he said on providing support for key policies.
The Italian media speculated Monday that Berlusconi might be so stung by the personal criticism against him that he would reject the overture and try to force Fini's hand, making him take the blame for bringing down the government.
According to the latest opinion polls the Pdl plus League would be returned in a snap election, with a slimmer majority.
Some analysts quoted in Monday's press thought the government would try to survive until March, when MPs qualify for a pension.
Fini set up the FLI after being ejected from the PdL on July 29 following months of bickering in a move he compared Sunday to "the worst type of Stalinism".
The Speaker and the PdL had become increasingly estranged over Fini's liberal stances on immigration, bioethics and other issues as well as his strong anti-corruption position.
FLI has 34 MPs in the 630-seat House and ten in the 315-seat Senate.
