18/09/2013 18:45
Berlusconi times address to coincide with Senate expulsion vote
Silvio Berlusconi has timed a delayed nationwide television address on his political future to coincide with a preliminary Senate vote on Wednesday on his expulsion from parliament, aides said, according to Reuters.
But political sources and local media said he would not use the address to torpedo the fragile left-right governing coalition of center-left Prime Minister Enrico Letta - at least for now - despite weeks of threats to do so.
However, the 76-year-old media magnate is highly unpredictable and in the past has made several versions of video announcements so he can choose one only at the last minute.
The address was originally expected on Tuesday but aides said it was now likely just before the Senate committee begins voting at 8.30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. ET).
Angelino Alfano, secretary of Berlusconi's center-right People of Freedom (PDL) party, said his leader would make a final decision on the government only after the vote, where Letta's Democratic Party (PD) says it will support expulsion.
In recent days, the billionaire businessman has appeared to step back from threats to bring down the government over the vote, which follows a conviction for tax fraud in early August.
Instead he is expected to resurrect his first political party, Forza Italia (Go Italy), rail against leftist judges he accuses of persecuting him and vow to remain in politics despite the conviction which will confine him to house arrest or community service for most of the next year.
He wants Forza Italia to replace the PDL in an attempt to revitalize center-right voters and appeal to young people.
Political sources say Berlusconi appears to have listened to PDL doves, business allies and members of his family who believe sparking a crisis now could badly rebound on the center-right as well as damaging his media empire financially.