Italy

Berlusconi prepares for third term

Article published on the 2008-04-15 Latest update 2008-04-15 12:41 TU

Silvio Berlusconi.
(Photo : AFP)

Silvio Berlusconi announced this morning that he would name his government within a week, following a convincing win by his People of Freedom (PDL) coalition in Italy's general elections on Monday. Speaking on national radio, the incoming prime minister said his foreign minister would be Franco Frattini, the current justice commissioner of the European Union.

Berlusconi's centre-right coalition won a comfortable majority in both the lower house and the Senate, according to final results released by the Interior Ministry earlier today.

The 71-year-old media magnate has already promised that one-third of his cabinet will be women, as well as pledging tax cuts and promising to cut youth unemployment.

In an interview with public television, Berlusconi admitted that he would have a tough job.

"We have difficult months ahead, which will require great strength," he said.

Berlusconi takes over as growth slows to 0.6 per cent for this year. One of his top priorities will be attempting to save failing Italian national airline, Alitalia, currently threatened with takeover by Air France-KLM.

The election results have already dramatically reshaped the Italian parliament, with only five parties represented after this election, compared to a previous 26.

More than eight in ten voters backed one or the other of the two biggest blocs, Berlusconi's PDL and defeated rival WalterVeltroni's Democratic Party (PD). 

Veltroni's party emerges from the poll as Italy's single biggest party, with the support of about one in three voters. 

The right-wing Northern League is part of Berlusconi's coalition and he may take a tough stance on immigration to keep their support.