Berlusconi 'declares war' on Italy PM

Italian ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's warning that his centre-right party could withdraw its support for the government was seen by the press today as a declaration of war against Prime Minister Mario Monti.

"In the next few days we will decide with the leadership of my party whether it is better to immediately withdraw our confidence or to keep it, given the upcoming election (in April)," Berlusconi said at a press conference yesterday after he was sentenced to jail for tax fraud.

"We need to weigh this government policy that leads to a spiral of recession for our economy" against the way "a vote of no-confidence could be seen by the world of finance," he added. 

Reactions to Berlusconi's comments were splashed across the front pages of the Italian press today, with the leading Corriere della Sera saying "Berlusconi threatens to topple Monti", while other headlines declared  "Berlusconi attacks Monti" and "Berlusconi against Monti".

"Berlusconi in his bunker has declared war on Monti and Merkel," leftwing daily Il Fatto Quotidiano said, referring to Berlusconi's accusation that the Italian prime minister was following policy dictated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Berlusconi, who was sentenced to jail for tax fraud last week, had earlier announced he would not run in next year's election but vowed to remain in politics to reform the justice system that found him guilty.

The scandal-hit three-time premier was toppled in November last year over his handling of the economy in the face of deep financial crisis.