Berlusconi Plans Comeback As Italian Prime Minister
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Disgraced former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could attempt to run for office again, reported The Telegraph on Sunday, after the media tycoon was quoted to have said that he was ready to once again “take charge” of the Italian government.
Disgraced former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could attempt to run for office again, reported The Telegraph on Sunday, after the media tycoon was quoted to have said that he was ready to once again “take charge” of the Italian government.
Berlusconi, 75, was speaking at a rally for his People of Freedom party on the outskirts of Rome, when he denounced the austerity measures taken by current Prime Minister Mario Monti and hinted at a possible comeback for himself.
[quote]”This is no longer a situation of liberty. We are being governed by people who were not elected,” said Berlusconi.[/quote]“We can no longer spend freely or privately our money our rights as home owners are abused,” he added, while taking a dig at the tax hikes and a new property tax introduced by Monti’s government.
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The media tycoon then proceeded to tell the audience, made up mainly of right wing youths, that, “I’m working on solutions. I’m still here.”
And then, as if speaking from a campaign platform, he added, as cited by The Guardian, “Give me 51 percent (of the votes).”
Italy is not due to have elections until May 2013 but increasing rhetoric from Mr Berlusconi’s party has suggested they could come as soon as October. The People of Freedom party also is thought to have enough votes in parliament to call for an election that would most likely end the reign of Mario Monti’s technocrat government, which came into power last November.
Opinions polls in Italy now show that Monti’s approval ratings are at an all-time low of 33 percent with many Italians said to be unhappy at how Monti had “allowed himself to be overly swayed by parties, socio-economic forces and the European Union.”
Consequently, despite the scandals surrounding Berlusconi, the former prime minister’s speech still managed to bring his audience to their feet, with chants of “Silvio, Silvio.”
The ex-prime minister also took the time to express his dissatisfaction at the European Union, declaring that there may be “advantages” in Italy abandoning the euro.
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“I do not believe it is a blasphemy to consider leaving the euro, we can think about proceeding with a competitive devaluation,” he said.
[quote]”While it would certainly not be desirable, it would also have advantages,” the billionaire added.[/quote]
