Berlusconi’s show of power piles pressure on Monti

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right party (Party of Liberty - PDL) abruptly withdrawn its support from Mario Monti’s technocrat government in the Italian parliament for the first time in over a year on the 6 December 2012, plunging Italian politics deeper into confusion and raising the possibility of snap elections in early 2013.

Silvio Berlusconi ended weeks of speculation on the 8 December 2012 by confirming that he planned to run for prime minister again in general elections that he said he expected to be held on the 10 March 2013.

Subsequently, Mario Monti, Italy’s technocrat prime minister, announced also on the 8 December 2012 that he intended to submit his resignation once the Italian parliament passed the 2013 budget law, a surprise move that could lead to general elections being held in February 2013, one or two months earlier than expected.

ESO: Background information: Berlusconi succession battle begins http://www.europeansources.info/record/berlusconi-succession-battle-begins/

ESO: Background information: Run-off looms in Italy’s centre-left vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/run-off-looms-in-italys-centre-left-vote/

Corriere della Sera, 04.12.12: Berlusconi Could Force February Vote and Stand Again http://www.corriere.it/english/12_dicembre_04/berlusconi_f7191b9a-3e0d-11e2-ab02-9e37f2f89044.shtml

Corriere della Sera, 06.12.12: [Esplora il significato del termine: Berlusconi – “Italy on Cliff Edge. My People Want Me to Stand Again”] Berlusconi – “Italy on Cliff Edge. My People Want Me to Stand Again” http://www.corriere.it/english/12_dicembre_06/berlusconi-alfano_50e73a74-3fa5-11e2-823e-1add3ba819e8.shtml

BBC News, 06.12.12: Silvio Berlusconi 'to run for Italy PM again' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20635164

Deutsche Welle, 07.11.12: Monti loses backing as political standstill looms in Italy http://www.dw.de/monti-loses-backing-as-political-standstill-looms-in-italy/a-16434341

EUObserver, 07.12.12: Monti majority dented amid Berlusconi comeback speculation http://euobserver.com/political/118444

BBC News, 08.12.12: Silvio Berlusconi confirms new Italy PM bid http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20652645

France24, 08.12.12: Disgraced Berlusconi confirms return to politics http://www.france24.com/en/20121208-italy-berlusconi-prime-minister-monti-elections-debt-economy

BBC News, 08.12.12: Italy PM Mario Monti announces plan to resign http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20656173

EUObserver, 10.12.12: Monti to resign after Berlusconi seeks comeback http://euobserver.com/political/118462

EurActiv, 10.12.12: Italy heads for snap poll as markets watch http://www.euractiv.com/elections/italy-heading-early-elections-ma-news-516549

Spiegel Online International, 10.12.12: Europe Frets over Italy's Return to Political Chaos http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/berlusconi-europe-frets-over-italy-return-to-political-chaos-a-871957.html

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