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Berlusconi says confident of party's future despite scandal

wangxingqiao: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, September 26, 2012

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ROME, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Italy's former premier Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday called himself "confident"in the blooming future of his scandal-hit People of Freedom (PdL) party.

"We appreciate the choice of (Lazio Region President) Renata Polverini .. although she has not done anything immoral or illegitimate," Berlusconi said in an interview with the newly launched Huffington Post Italia.

Polverini stepped down Monday following a big embezzlement scandal that erupted earlier this month when the PdL's then regional chief, Franco Fiorito, was put under investigation for alleged misusing of party funds.

The President of northern Lombardy Region, Roberto Formigoni, belonging to PdL, is also being investigated for wasting party funds, that in Italy are provided by the state.

Berlusconi said Prime Minister Mario Monti, whose government of technocrats is carrying out a series of tough reforms to tackle Italy's debt crisis, was "the most suitable person for an emergency government ... and he has not disappointed us."

However, in the former premier's view, the ongoing austerity phase that has deepened recession should be followed by a growth policy in which Monti's government is lacking "courage" differently by what a PdL-led rightist cabinet would do.

Monti's austerity policy mainly made of tax hikes on real estate and consumer goods has further undermined Italy's stagnant economy, which can only see a recovery with "development and growth," Berlusconi said.

Speaking of the eurozone, he said it is necessary to strengthen its political union and "give the European Central Bank (ECB) the prerogatives of a real central bank."

"It was when the ECB announced far-reaching plans to save the euro that Italy's spreads started decreasing," Berlusconi said, claiming his government had never been responsible for the country's record-high borrowing costs.

Berlusconi, who dominated the Italian political landscape for 17 years before being ousted last November, did not say whether he will run for a fourth term as premier at elections scheduled in 2013, but highlighted he "has never had difficulty in getting in the game and competing with others."

"I consider myself a technocrat, because technocrats are not only university professors, but especially those people who have successfully developed a practical competence," he said.

"In this moment, Italy does not need a leap into the unknown, but an expert and capable guide," he added. Enditem