Popularity low for Berlusconi

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s popularity rating hit new lows, an opinion poll showed yesterday, ahead of a confidence vote on his government’s austerity budget.

Divisions within his coalition government, corruption allegations and criticism of the budget have combined to weaken his government and send the usually popular Berlusconi’s approval ratings spiralling downward, the poll showed.

Berlusconi said his decision to put the €25 billion austerity budget to confidence votes in both houses of parliament was “an act of courage” because he would have to resign if he loses.