Silvio Berlusconi has often been written off in the past by people wrongly predicting his imminent demise. But at the start of a new political season in Italy, few doubt that the 73-year old premier and media magnate is fighting for his political life. For years, one of the main buttresses supporting Mr Berlusconi’s premiership has been Gianfranco Fini, the leader of the right-of-centre Alleanza Nazionale party. But just before the summer break, Mr Fini – who has expressed disenchantment with Mr Berlusconi’s judicial and personal travails for some time – walked out of the centre-right coalition, depriving the prime minister of his parliamentary majority.
This rift sets the scene for what should be a dramatic autumn in Italian politics. At some point in the next few weeks, Mr Berlusconi will face a make or break confidence vote in the Italian chamber of deputies. Mr Fini may decide to continue giving the government parliamentary support for a while, uncertain what the consequences would be if the government falls. But it is also possible that he will deliver the coup de grace and vote the government down, plunging Italy into a full blown political crisis.
FT.com / Comment / Editorial - Italy’s hot autumn
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