Hopeful signs for new Italian coalition talks
ROME— Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi predicted Friday that Italy would succeed in forming a governing coalition out of bitterly opposed factions — including his own — savouring the prospects of a political comeback for himself and his conservative party.
Once virtually counted out as a political power after giving up the premiership in the face of Italy’s economic crisis, the billionaire business baron now appears to be Italy’s kingmaker.
Berlusconi gave his upbeat assessment on the prospects for a government Friday to TgCom24, part of his media empire, predicting that there would be a “good outcome” for coalition talks.
The economically stagnant nation has been struggling for two months to form a new government after inconclusive elections in which Berlusconi’s party finished second.
Berlusconi was expected to meet soon with premier-designate Enrico Letta. Letta’s Democratic Party came in first in the balloting, but it fractured after failing to win control of both parliamentary chambers.
Letta held talks Friday with President Giorgio Napolitano, who tapped him earlier in the week to attempt to build bridges.
The third major bloc, the Five Star Movement led by comic Beppe Grillo, has refused to back the established parties in a coalition.