Gov crisis looms in Italy as centrists threaten to quit (PM enquirie)

[Nambe]

Agence France-Presse

The prospect of a government crisis loomed in Italy as one of the coalition partners was due to decide whether to make good on its threat to quit if enquiries into financial dealings by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's television empire continued to be blocked.

The crisis within the fractious four-party coalition follows a decision by Justice Minister Roberto Castelli to veto requests from investigating magistrates for more information from authorities in Switzerland and the United States on possible tax frauds by Berlusconi and other executives of the Mediaset television group. ---

The centrist and Christian Democrat UDC has two ministers in the government, 40 deputies and 29 senators. The Northern League has three ministers, 30 deputies and 17 senators. If the UDC goes ahead and quits the coalition a political crisis could follow as Berlusconi's government could lose its control of the senate. ---

Doubts about the suitability of media tycoon Berlusconi to assume the presidency were widespread even before Rome took up the rotating office on July 1, owing to the numerous legal questions hanging over Berlusconi's head.

Privatize bush It’s a Good Thing

[Paschall]

1. The poor Italians

They were hoping to avoid this during Italy's stint as EU president.

On the other hand, this is nothing unusual. How many changes of government has Italy had since the republic was founded in 1948? I think the number is up there in the 40s or 50s. Though Berlu does stand out as a particularly vile free market neo-fascist.

[DemBones DemBones]

2. Italy is overdue for a change in government, I think. Berlusconi's

been in office about as long as Shrub.

[jpgray]

3. Just hope Berlusconi doesn't make the change

.