ROME – Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi broke an uncharacteristic silence since a setback in local elections last weekend, saying the opposition was dominated by “extremists” and there was no alternative to his government.
In interviews yesterday, Mr Berlusconi tried to galvanise centre-right voters and quash speculation his government may not last to the end of its term in 2013. In the mayoral elections on May 15th-16th his party and its allies suffered poor results in several key cities. – (Reuters)
