In latest political maneuver, Berlusconi pulls ministers from cabinet
- 11 years ago
He simply doesn't quit. Italians wake up to Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi calling for new elections, saying polls suggest his party would win.
In a phone conversation with party members, later posted to Forza Italia's web site, Berlusconi had this to say:
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) VOICE OF FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI OVER FORZA ITALIA WEBSITE, SAYING:
"I think there is no other way than going, with conviction, to elections as soon as possible. (APPLAUSE) We are also convinced as the numbers of all the polls suggest that we will win these elections... I can assure you that my personal problems have never affected my decisions.
The former premier pulled his ministers out of the cabinet, effectively bringing down Prime Minister Enrico Letta's government and leaving the euro-zone's third-largest economy on the brink of a crisis.
Political analyst James Walston says the crisis is unprecedented --
(SOUNDBITE) (English) POL
In a phone conversation with party members, later posted to Forza Italia's web site, Berlusconi had this to say:
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) VOICE OF FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI OVER FORZA ITALIA WEBSITE, SAYING:
"I think there is no other way than going, with conviction, to elections as soon as possible. (APPLAUSE) We are also convinced as the numbers of all the polls suggest that we will win these elections... I can assure you that my personal problems have never affected my decisions.
The former premier pulled his ministers out of the cabinet, effectively bringing down Prime Minister Enrico Letta's government and leaving the euro-zone's third-largest economy on the brink of a crisis.
Political analyst James Walston says the crisis is unprecedented --
(SOUNDBITE) (English) POL