Berlusconi mulls comeback
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who resigned last year and was convicted of fraud by a Milan court in October, said he is being pressed to run for premier to save the
country from recession.
“I am assailed by requests from my people to announce as quickly as possible my
descent, once again, onto the field” to lead his People of Liberty party in next year’s
general election, Berlusconi said Wednesday. “I can’t allow my country to precipitate in a recessive spiral without end.”
Berlusconi, who is appeal
ing the fraud conviction, said he will make a decision
about a possible run in the
next few days.
On Oct. 24, the 76-yearold billionaire media magnate said he was taking a step back from politics and wouldn’t run for premier.
Meanwhile, the government is considering plans to
combine elections in two of
the country’s biggest regions
next year, a move that would
put pressure on President Giorgio Napolitano to hold the general vote, which is due by May, to coincide with the regional elections.
Berlusconi’s People of Liberty party has threatened to bring down the government unless regional and national votes are held on the same day to avoid the costs of
two campaigns.