Mr Berlusconi insisted that there was no need to change the system of proportional representation that he pushed through Parliament shortly before the last elections in 2006. Mr Prodi and the centre Left won those elections narrowly after five years of centre-right rule marked by near-zero growth and a ballooning deficit. At the time, Mr Berlusconi, the richest man in Italy, was distracted by attempts to stave off corruption charges and protect his business interests.
Appunti di un anonimo italiano
30/1/2008
