Italy: Silvio Berlusconi won't step down in wake of financial struggle

PRIME minister Silvio Berlusconi has dismissed speculation that he might step down next year and push for early elections as the country tries to avoid financial collapse.

Following days of intense pressure, Berlusconi announced last Friday that his government will speed up austerity measures in an effort to balance the budget in 2013 instead of 2014 as originally planned.

However, yesterday Berlusconi said that an early vote in 2012 was never considered an option.

He said that the Italian government would continue working with no interruption.

Berlusconi's five-year term as one of the country's most controversial leaders will end in 2013.