(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The level of confidence in the actions of Silvio Berlusconi fell slightly this month, according to a poll by IPR Marketing published in La Repubblica. 53 per cent of respondents express confidence in Berlusconi, down three points since April.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The level of confidence in the actions of Silvio Berlusconi fell slightly this month, according to a poll by IPR Marketing published in La Repubblica. 53 per cent of respondents express confidence in Berlusconi, down three points since April.
Italian voters renewed the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in April 2008. Final results gave Berlusconi’s right-wing coalition—encompassing the Italian People of Freedom Party (PdL), the Northern League (LN), and the Movement for Autonomy (MPA)—344 seats in the lower house, and 174 seats in the upper house. The victory put an end to the government of the centre-left Union (Unione), headed by Romano Prodi.
Berlusconi was sworn in as the country’s new head of government in May 2008. He had previously served as prime minister from May 1994 to January 1995, and from June 2001 to May 2006.
Earlier this month, Veronica Lario—who has been married to Berlusconi for the past 19 years—said she would seek to divorce him after suggesting that he is "a man who frequents minors." Lario was referring to Berlusconi’s attendance to the birthday celebrations of 18-year-old aspiring actress Noemi Letizia, who confirmed the prime minister’s presence that day.
On May 15, Berlusconi accused newspaper La Repubblica—usually critical of his government—of "low attacks" and of leading a "media defamation campaign bent on using exclusively private matters for political ends" after the publication requested that Berlusconi explain his relationship with Letizia.
Polling Data
Do you have confidence in Silvio Berlusconi?
|
|
May 2009
|
Apr. 2009
|
Mar. 2009
|
|
Yes
|
53%
|
56%
|
52%
|
|
No
|
44%
|
41%
|
44%
|
Source: IPR Marketing / La Repubblica
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Italian adults, conducted on May 11 and May 12, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
