Italy plays out political drama
- 11 years ago
To the brink and back again.
As Italy plays out its latest drama, Prime minister Enrico Letta fights to mend a split he says is tearing the country apart.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) Italian prime minister, Enrico Letta, saying:
"Italy is running a risk that could be fatal, without remedy. Avoiding this risk, to seize or not seize the moment, depends on the choices we will make in this chamber."
A remedy does appear - for today at least - in the unlikely guise of Silvio Berlusconi.
The man whose power brought five ministers out of the ruling coalition - triggering the current crisis and threatening to bring down the government - stage manages a turnaround worthy of a media mogul.
Some of those ministers, including his deputy, Angelino Alfano, had threatened to defy Berlusconi and swing their support behind Letta after all.
Berlusconi says his decision was made in the common good.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) People of Freedom Party (PDL) leader, Silv
As Italy plays out its latest drama, Prime minister Enrico Letta fights to mend a split he says is tearing the country apart.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) Italian prime minister, Enrico Letta, saying:
"Italy is running a risk that could be fatal, without remedy. Avoiding this risk, to seize or not seize the moment, depends on the choices we will make in this chamber."
A remedy does appear - for today at least - in the unlikely guise of Silvio Berlusconi.
The man whose power brought five ministers out of the ruling coalition - triggering the current crisis and threatening to bring down the government - stage manages a turnaround worthy of a media mogul.
Some of those ministers, including his deputy, Angelino Alfano, had threatened to defy Berlusconi and swing their support behind Letta after all.
Berlusconi says his decision was made in the common good.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) People of Freedom Party (PDL) leader, Silv