Berlusconi seeks new allies

Following the rupture with Gianfranco Fini, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may be in an awkward position. But the summer break will no doubt give him enough time to reassert his grip on power, writes the liberal daily La Vanguardia: It's "an Italian-style divorce which leaves a sword of Damocles hanging over Berlusconi by reducing his necessary support to the minimum. ... This is why he's now looking for allies in parliament who will allow him to continue governing without problems. ... The question is whether Silvio Berlusconi will be able to gather sufficient support to face the situation. The fact that August is a holiday month, which gives him time to negotiate with MPs, works in his favour. And because staying in power is the top priority in Italian politics, the controversial politician and entrepreneur shouldn't have too many difficulties finding a way out."

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