Political stability
continues to be at risk following recent statements by Italian prime
minister Silvio Berlusconi’s former ally and House speaker,
Gianfranco Fini. A founder of Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (Pdl)
party, Fini broke with the Pdl last July to launch his own party, the
Future and Freedom (Fli) party (see TF 129). At the Fli’s founding
convention in early November, Fini urged the prime minister to resign
for the ‘good of the country’ and instead discuss a new
legislative agenda that would deal with much-needed political
reforms. Fini and the Fli say they will support the alliance if these
issues are tackled, though most analysts believe Italy will return to
the polls next spring.
