Berlusconi clings on

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday he was certain he would see out his term in 2013 after narrowly surviving a confidence vote this week.

Tuesday’s no-confidence motion left the government clinging on by just three votes and most commentators predict early elections next year — two years ahead of time.

Berlusconi said he would govern until the end of his term. “I am absolutely certain that I will complete the legislature,” he told reporters after a European Union summit.

“I have the numbers.”