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Berlusconi splits from former ally, says government stable

Other News Materials 30 July 2010 12:02 (UTC +04:00)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insisted his government was stable after a split with his erstwhile ally, Gianfranco Fini, the speaker of the lower house of parliament.
Berlusconi splits from former ally, says government stable

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi insisted his government was stable after a split with his erstwhile ally, Gianfranco Fini, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, DPA reported.

Berlusconi's People of Liberty party late Thursday moved to censure Fini, the party's co-founder, and asked for his resignation as parliamentary speaker, Italian media reported Friday.

"The positions of Mr Fini are absolutely incompatible with the founding principles of the People of Liberty party," Berlusconi said in a televised press conference, accusing Fini of "destructive criticism."

The premier debunked speculation that his government would not survive the rupture. He stressed that his administration still enjoyed both parliamentary and voter support and said that he did "not believe there is any risk to the government."

Fini, 58, refused to resign from his post and approved of the formation of a new bloc in both houses of parliament by his allies, news reports said. Up to 36 lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies and 14 Senators were ready to join Fini, giving him theoretically the power to influence key votes.

Fini said he would comment on the situation in a press conference late Friday morning.

The dispute between Berlusconi and Fini erupted last year, and escalated in April. Fini criticized Berlusconi for not allowing dissent within the party, and clashed with him on immigration policy, the response to corruption probes against ministers and an immunity law for politicians, among others.

Berlusconi in the past has not ruled out snap elections to end the crisis.

Fini integrated his post-fascist Alleanza Nazionale into Berlusconi's party in 2008.

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