Berlusconi flags as poll campaign closes

THE Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, admitted yesterday that he was exhausted and talked openly about possible defeat on the final day of a long, bitter campaign for the April general election.

For much of the campaign Mr Berlusconi has dismissed suggestions he might lose to his rival Romano Prodi, despite the fact his coalition has consistently trailed in the polls because of voter dissatisfaction over the stagnant economy.

But in the past two days he has looked angry, defensive and worn, accusing the judiciary, the press and big business of plotting his demise.

"Well, if I happen to lose, I'll still be in parliament. We would still be strong with 270 lawmakers [in the lower house]," Mr Berlusconi said in an interview with the daily Italia Oggi.

"I am at the limits of my strength. My voice is shredded. I'm keeping going on cortisone... but I only need a Saturday and Sunday to recover, then on Monday I will be ready to celebrate," he added, signalling he had not given up all hope.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Berlusconi said that if he won he might scrap a tax on rubbish collection, in what his rivals said was a desperate attempt to lure voters after this week's surprise pledge to abolish an unpopular property tax.

"Berlusconi is... basically buying votes by promising tax cuts," said Piero Fassino, the head of the biggest party in Prodi's Union coalition.

Mr Berlusconi will end his campaign in the southern city of Naples, where he will hold his first joint rally with his main allies. For their final rally, Mr Prodi and his coalition leaders have chosen Rome's central Piazza del Popolo.

A new voting system rushed into law in December means whoever wins the election is certain to enjoy a smaller majority than the outgoing administration, especially in the Senate, which has a vital role in the passing of legislation.

Commentators say Mr Berlusconi's recent outbursts, including Thursday's assertion that United Nations observers were needed to prevent his rivals from rigging the vote, polarised Italy and turned the ballot into a referendum on his leadership.

Opposition leaders, appearing increasingly confident of victory, have accused the prime minister of losing his wits.

"It's bizarre that the head of government is the one who is spreading fear and undermining confidence in democracy," Mr Prodi, a former European Commission president, told a rally.

While Mr Berlusconi's government has passed a string of reforms over the past five years, it has failed to revive the stagnant economy and many Italians say they feel worse off than in 2001.

Good luck to Berlusconi. There really is no alternative.

Regards, Ivan

To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick; Laurita; Semper911; lutz; Deetes; Barset; fanfan; LadyofShalott; ...

2 posted on 04/08/2006 8:21:52 AM PDT by MadIvan (Ya hya chouhada! Dune fans, visit - http://www.thesietch.com/)

I love how the left feels voters are purchased with tax cuts, all while maintaining that their government handouts are for the common good.

3 posted on 04/08/2006 8:24:18 AM PDT by JHBowden (Go White Sox!)

Good luck to Berlusconi. There really is no alternative.

True, Prodi isn't up to much!!

4 posted on 04/08/2006 8:31:58 AM PDT by Irish_Thatcherite (~A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!~| IRA supporters on FR are trolls, end of story!)

5 posted on 04/08/2006 8:32:42 AM PDT by Irish_Thatcherite (~A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!~| IRA supporters on FR are trolls, end of story!)

What will happen if he loses?

to be honest, I hate the parliamentary style of government.
Too fractured with disproportionate import to minor players, too much compromise over everything.

Too many deals, too many everything.

6 posted on 04/08/2006 8:46:47 AM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")

I imagine Prodi will pull aout the last Italian out of Iraq the day after the election. The West appears to have lost the will to fight, like the ancient Romans we have grown fat, lazy and too comfortable.

7 posted on 04/08/2006 9:09:42 AM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))

"to be honest, I hate the parliamentary style of government."

Britain has a parliamentary style of government - works pretty well. So does Australia. And New Zealand. And Canada. It is not the set up, but something else. Am sure you'll figure that out.

8 posted on 04/08/2006 12:07:07 PM PDT by razoroccam (Then in the name of Allah, they will let loose the Germs of War (http://www.booksurge.com))

I know all of the nations that use it, and I think it outright stinks.

9 posted on 04/08/2006 12:13:45 PM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")

Proportional voting is one cause of some really bad democracies. You get a lot of instability in Israeli Govts, German govts, etc.

The English-style Parliament has single member districts.
As does our COngress. We must keep it that way.

10 posted on 04/08/2006 3:55:58 PM PDT by WOSG (http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com/)

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