Rome, May 31: The government of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has suffered another blow following a stinging defeat in local election runoffs.
Berlusconi’s center-right coalition suffered a humiliating defeat in mayoral elections in the cities of Milan and Naples on Monday, casting doubt over the legally embattled Italian leader’s future political life, AFP reported.
In Milan, which has been ruled by Berlusconi’s coalition for some two decades, center-left challenger Giuliano Pisapia captured around 55 percent of the ballots.
The centre-right’s candidate in Naples also suffered a crushing defeat, winning only one-third of the vote.
The ruling coalition lost in other major cities as well. Analysts say the result of the polls cast doubt on the Italian government’s ability to last its full term of office, which is set to expire in 2013.
The 74-year-old Italian premier has had an extensive history of criminal allegations, including mafia involvement, corruption, and bribery of police officers, lawyers, and judges.
The Italians have so far staged several rallies against the beleaguered prime minister.
He has been charged with paying an underage prostitute and later using his power to release her from theft allegations.
Berlusconi has denied all charges against him and says he has been victimized by leftist magistrates that have used the legal system to bring him down.
In Italy, underage sex is punishable by up to three years in prison, while abuse of power carries a maximum sentence of up to 12 years in jail.
Berlusconi stepped into politics in 1994 and has so far survived several trials over sexual affairs, fraud and power abuse allegations.
——Agencies