Berlusconi's popularity falls to a record low

THE approval rating of embattled Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has hit a new low, a survey showed yesterday, as he prepared for a confidence vote in parliament next month which could lead to early elections.

An opinion poll on the website of the left-leaning daily La Repubblica said Mr Berlusconi's popularity had fallen to 35 per cent, down 10 points from November 2009.

It was the lowest level since the 74-year old media tycoon won a landslide victory in 2008.

Mr Berlusconi faces a confidence vote in both chambers of parliament on 14 December, and if he loses in either he would be forced to resign.

He said yesterday he was confident he could win, but most analysts expect him to be defeated in the lower house, where he no longer has a guaranteed majority since he split with his former coalition ally, Gianfranco Fini, last summer. Earlier this week, Mr Fini pulled his ministers from the government, further deepening the crisis.

Should he lose the showdown in parliament, Mr Berlusconi said the only alternative would be a snap general election early next year, two years ahead of schedule.