Berlusconi on the Hot Seat

Via the BBC:  Italy: Umberto Bossi urges Silvio Berlusconi to quit

Northern League leader Umberto Bossi is a volatile ally who brought down Mr Berlusconi’s first government in 1994.

Mr Berlusconi’s majority has crumbled ahead of the vote, with several MPs defecting or saying they will rebel.

Until now he has insisted he has enough support to be able to continue to govern and has denied he will resign.

A pending vote on a budget measure will test the question of whether Berlusconi has a majority of support in the chamber.

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Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter