Published: October 6 2009
The latest allegations of corruption levelled by an Italian court against Silvio Berlusconi add to a sense of a prime minister under siege, protected only by his influence over the media, his personal wealth and immunity from prosecution granted by his sizeable majority in parliament.
But they also serve to demonstrate the lack of an alternative from a centre-left opposition that is riven by infighting, and the absence of a clear successor to emerge from within his own ranks.
Responding to the latest crisis for the 73-year-old prime minister, in his third term of office since 1994, it was telling that Gianfranco Fini, his alliance partner and one of several possible heirs, immediately dismissed speculation that Mr Berlusconi should resign and be replaced by an interim government headed by technocrats.
This view was backed by Emma Marcegaglia, head of the influential Confindustria employers' association, who said a technical government would only harm Italy.
No prominent business people have come out publicly against Mr Berlusconi or called for his resignation, even though in private some have expressed dismay at what they perceive is the paralysis in the government caused by his distraction over his legal troubles.
Still, support for the centre-right government is ebbing. This was evident last week when Italy's two biggest banks rejected an offer of state aid because of fears that it would involve them in too many political entanglements with a government that a growing number of business leaders appear to distrust.
Six months of digging by opposition newspapers into Mr Berlusconi's private life - focusing on theNoemi Letizia unclear circumstances surrounding his relationship with an 18-year-old model from Naples, and allegations of parties with prostitutes supplied by a businessman under investigation for corruption - stung the prime minister into an aggressive response last month.
Mr Berlusconi said he would sue for libel two pro-opposition newspapers and seek damages from at least two foreign publications. Il Giornale, a daily controlled by the Berlusconi family, then launched fierce attacks on critics within the Church.
An IPR poll in mid-September showed the public's support for Mr Berlusconi slipping to 47 per cent from a high of more than 60 per cent a year ago.
Still, many Italians agree with Mr Berlusconi that elements of the judiciary are in league with his opponents, hatching a "conspiracy" to overthrow him.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
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