(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-08 14:33

While Berlusconi should be able to avoid the degree of infighting that brought down Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition in January, he could be vulnerable to sniping from Northern League leader Umberto Bossi, who felled his first government after seven months.

But Pavoncello said Berlusconi still looked set to stamp his authority on what would be "a government of the premiership".

"At the end of the day he is still the leader and isn't going to be pushed around. It's true the League did well, but Berlusconi did so much better," the professor told Reuters.

The 66-year-old Bossi, whose violent rhetoric has not been toned down by a stroke, will be minister without portfolio for federalist reforms.

Party colleague Roberto Calderoli will be in charge of slashing red tape as minister of "Legislative Simplification".

AN will be in charge of the defence ministry. Berlusconi kept his election pledge of having four women in his cabinet, though only two of them -- the education and environment ministers -- have first-tier portfolios.

 

   1 2   

   1 2