Berlusconi pleas with parliament ahead of vote
Silvio Berlusconi
Premier Silvio Berlusconi urged lawmakers Monday to support him in looming no-confidence votes  warning that bringing down his government would be "folly" because stability is essential as the country battles economic crisis.
 The embattled Italian leader appealed to a group of rebel lawmakers who have vowed to try to oust him during Tuesday votes. He offered to negotiate a new agenda that would allow the government to survive until new parliamentary elections are held in 2013  as well as a Cabinet reshuffle to give government positions to those who support him in the crucial parliamentary test.
 "The last thing Italy needs is a political crisis " Berlusconi argued in a 30-minute speech to the Senate.
 Berlusconi faces votes Tuesday in both houses of parliament after a dramatic falling-out with his one-time closest ally  Gianfranco Fini  his party's co-founder. Berlusconi was once immensely popular  but his approval ratings have nose-dived and his political capital diluted amid scandals engulfing his private life  reports of lavish parties and alleged encounters with prostitutes.
 He risks more in the lower house  where the split with Fini has potentially deprived him of a majority. With the vote expected to be decided by just a handful of votes  Berlusconi has been trying to persuade undecided lawmakers.
 of a majority. With the vote expected to be decided by just a handful of votes  Berlusconi has been trying to persuade undecided lawmakers.
 Speculation of vote-buying has been rife  but Berlusconi's allies have rejected any such accusations.
 On Monday  the premier appealed to rebel lawmakers who have sided with Fini by reminding them of "the long way we have come together."
 "I'm certain nobody wants to hastily throw away what we have created together " Berlusconi said  mentioning among other things the formation of the People of Freedom party that they founded together.
 "All can be done  save for betraying the mandate of voters " said Berlusconi  his government partner and close ally Umberto Bossi  leader of the Northern League  right next to the premier.
 He offered to "strengthen the government lineup" -- code word for a Cabinet shuffle. He said dialogue with moderates will be possible  but only if they ensure support to the government in the votes. He has rejected the requests of the Fini camp to resign ahead of the parliamentary votes.
 If Berlusconi wins  he is assured more time in office  even though a razor-thin majority is no guarantee of stability. If he loses  he has to resign -- a move that might lead to early elections  though not necessarily.
 The decision to dissolve parliament and call an election rests with the president  Giorgio Napolitano. The president could also ask Berlusconi to form a new government  possibly with a broadened coalition and a revised program  or tap a new premier to lead a new government.
[TGT] urged lawmakers Monday to support [TGT] in looming no-confidence votes  warning that bringing down [TGT] government would be "folly" because stability is essential as the country battles economic crisis.
 [TGT] appealed to a group of rebel lawmakers who have vowed to try to oust [TGT] during Tuesday votes. [TGT] offered to negotiate a new agenda that would allow the government to survive until new parliamentary elections are held in 2013  as well as a Cabinet reshuffle to give government positions to those who support [TGT] in the crucial parliamentary test.
 "The last thing Italy needs is a political crisis [TGT] argued in a 30-minute speech to the Senate.
 [TGT] faces votes Tuesday in both houses of parliament after a dramatic falling-out with [TGT] one-time closest ally  Gianfranco Fini  his party's co-founder. [TGT] was once immensely popular  but [TGT] approval ratings have nose-dived and [TGT] political capital diluted amid scandals engulfing [TGT] private life  reports of lavish parties and alleged encounters with prostitutes.
 [TGT] risks more in the lower house  where the split with Fini has potentially deprived [TGT] of a majority. With the vote expected to be decided by just a handful of votes  [TGT] has been trying to persuade undecided lawmakers.
 of a majority. With the vote expected to be decided by just a handful of votes  [TGT] has been trying to persuade undecided lawmakers.
 Speculation of vote-buying has been rife  but [TGT]'s allies have rejected any such accusations.
 On Monday  the premier appealed to rebel lawmakers who have sided with Fini by reminding them of "the long way we have come together."
 "I'm certain nobody wants to hastily throw away what we have created together " [TGT] said  mentioning among other things the formation of the People of Freedom party that they founded together.
 "All can be done  save for betraying the mandate of voters " said [TGT][TGT] government partner and close ally Umberto Bossi  leader of the Northern League  right next to the premier.
 [TGT] offered to "strengthen the government lineup" -- code word for a Cabinet shuffle. [TGT] said dialogue with moderates will be possible  but only if they ensure support to the government in the votes. [TGT] has rejected the requests of the Fini camp to resign ahead of the parliamentary votes.
 If [TGT] wins  [TGT] is assured more time in office  even though a razor-thin majority is no guarantee of stability. If [TGT] loses  [TGT] has to resign -- a move that might lead to early elections  though not necessarily.
 The decision to dissolve parliament and call an election rests with the president  Giorgio Napolitano. The president could also ask [TGT] to form a new government  possibly with a broadened coalition and a revised program  or tap a new premier to lead a new government.