Italy’s former Prime minister and conservative leader, Silvio Berlusconi, said new elections were the only way to bring stability back to the country. After less than tow years in charge, Romano Prodi (photo) resigned on Friday, because he lost a vote of confiance in the parliament. He left the centre-left shattered.
Now President Giorgio Napolitano has only two options to end the political crisis Italy’s going through : name an interim government or convoke new elections.During a meeting with the Italian president, Silvio Berlusconi said he was opposed to any interim government or any change to electoral laws. Then, Giorgio Napolitano met Walter Veltroni, the centre-left leader, who told him that early elections were “the opposite of what our contry needs”.
Tuesday marked the end of four days of political consultations. Now, as head of State, Giorgio Napolitano has to choose. He can dissolve the parliament and call elections three years ahead of schedule, or he can give the mandate to a uncontroversial figure who will have to create an interim government in order to change the electoral law, before any vote.
The current proportional-representation system in Italy was passed in the final days of Berlusconi’s government and is, according to some, the reason why small parties have a disproportionate weight. Therefore, it might be the source of Italy’s political instability.
According to recent polls, Silvio Berlusconi will probably return if there is an early vote. Napolitano’s decision is expected within days.
