Berlusconi faces dissent in bid to topple coalition

Silvio Berlusconi yesterday faced dissent within his People of Freedom Party, complicating his plans to bring down prime minister Enrico Letta’s coalition government.

However, even if Letta survives a confidence vote on Wednesday the prospects for stability and reform in Italy look more fragile than ever as he will face a larger and stronger opposition backed by Berlusconi’s media empire.

Letta’s hopes of survival appear to rest on some 20 senators from Berlusconi’s party, who are unhappy with his shock decision on Saturday to withdraw his ministers from Letta’s government.