(21 Dec 1994) Italian/Nat
Embattled Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, is said to be on the verge of resigning.
According to Berlusconi's official spokesman, the prime minister could stand down tomorrow ( Thursday) to head off defeat in a parliamentary vote of no- confidence.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had tough words for his colleagues in the Chamber of Deputies Wednesday.
And he singled out for special mention the leader of the Northern League, the coalition partner that deserted him and brought his government to the brink of defeat.
SOUND BITE:
"Ma Nel momento in eui egli rinega......mandato diventa casrta straccia"
translation: The moment in which he reneged on his own electorate and betrayed them, expropriating their political will and taking into the enemies' camp, in that precise moment his parliamentary mandate transformed itself into a betrayal that manipulates the good faith of the Italians in a clamorous violation of the first article of the constitution. In this precise moment his mandate became trash"
SUPER CAPTION: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
During his 25-minute speech, Berlusconi made it clear to his enemies that he's ready for a fight and set the stage for a heated debate over the future of his government.
Berlusconi's enemies in the chamber let it be known what they thought of him.
When the debate began, one of the first deputies to speak was the prime minister's former coalition partner and now sworn enemy, Umberto Bossi, the Northern League leader.
SOUND BITE:
"Atto di accuse......incapaoi, furbi e diletti"
translation: "Accusations that came from those who feel tired and frustrated of being subjects, sheep to be shorn regularly to maintain incapable people"
SUPER CAPTION: Umberto Bossi, Northern League leader
But, the leader of the coalition's other party, the National Alliance, spoke in defence of Berlusconi.
Gianfranco Fini struggled to be heard above the growing anger and scuffles in the chamber.
SOUND BITE:
"Cice quando si arriva all'impudenza...insieme i cocci purchessia" (runs 15")
translation: "That's to say when one gets to the impudence of saying that you have been deceived, that you signed a paper but you have seen another one, when you get to that level of impudence as you have in many circumstances, to say on one occasion that which was your intention and then change your mind the day after there is no possibility of putting back the pieces.''
SUPER CAPTION: Gianfranco Fini, leader, National Alliance.
Parliament now has three no-confidence motions to debate before voting on the future of Berlusconi's government.
The prime minister says he wants to hear the debate.
The beleaguered prime minister warned the deputies that if loses a no-confidence vote he'll ask Italy's president to call new elections. It would be the country's 54th government in 49 years.
Berlusconi considers elections his ultimate weapon. He
appears confident that voters will again back his Forza
Italia party.
Although some government critics shouted protests during
Berlusconi's speech he received a three-minute ovation as supporters cried: ``Italia!''
Corruption and power abuse scandals have recently wiped out the
political elite that governed Italy since World War Two. The clear-out opened the way for Berlusconi's leap into politics a year
ago.
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4 окт 2024
