Italy’s Berlusconi States New Government Feasible Without Snap Vote, Reports Reuters

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stated on Thursday that a new center-right government capable of ousting the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement from power could be established without the need for a snap election.

The 5-Star Movement formed a coalition government last June with Berlusconi’s traditional ally, the League, after the center-right was unable to secure a majority in national elections.

Berlusconi, the leader of Forza Italia, mentioned in an interview with a daily newspaper that a new parliamentary majority could be formed by uniting his party with the League, the far-right Brothers of Italy, and some dissenters from the 5-Star Movement.

The center-right is approximately 50 seats shy of a majority in the lower house, and political analysts have consistently questioned Berlusconi’s previous claims of having enough support to win a vote of confidence.

“We are prepared for new elections. However, many believe that if this government collapses, a different majority could emerge that would back a center-right government without resorting to the ballot box. We’ll see,” Berlusconi remarked.

Tensions between the League and 5-Star have been escalating over a variety of issues, and numerous reports suggest that the coalition may not last through the year.

Additionally, the 5-Star Movement recently expelled two senators, further undermining its fragile majority in the upper house.