Berlusconi survives confidence vote

Embattled Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has managed to clinch to his tenuous leadership of the Italian republic by a vote that has just managed to get the minimum 315 votes in his favour from the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

Italy's centre-right government faced a crucial confidence vote in parliament today after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi warned his numerous critics that trying to bring him down could trigger financial turmoil.

Berlusconi's coalition was expected to pass the vote but it is unlikely to put an end to the infighting that has plagued the government for weeks during tough economic times.

"There is no alternative to this government," the scandal-tainted 75-year-old prime minister told parliament on Thursday, saying that the opposition was "united only by its anti-Berlusconism."

"Early elections would not solve the problems we have," he said, adding: "A political crisis now would mean victory for the party of decline, catastrophe and speculation."

Berlusconi was forced to turn to parliament to confirm its support after the ruling coalition suffered an embarrassing setback on Tuesday when it was unexpectedly defeated in a low-profile but key technical vote.

"I am here and with me I have a politically cohesive majority, apart from some incidents in parliament," he said on Thursday. The defeat in parliament has revived talk about possible plots against an embattled Berlusconi from within the government's own ranks.

Berlusconi's popularity is at an all-time low, with the latest poll from last month giving him a 24% approval rating. He is also a defendant in three trials for bribery, tax fraud, abuse of power and paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl – and at the centre of an array of other sex scandals.

His joke last week that his party should change its name to "Go Pussy!" fell flat and incensed many who are concerned he is damaging Italy's image abroad.

Political uncertainty in Italy and its effect on long-term economic policymaking was cited as a key factor for the recent downgrades of its sovereign debt by ratings agencies Standard & Poor's, Fitch and Moody's.