Berlusconi: 'No' vote would mean elections

ROME, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Italy will have early elections if the government doesn't survive a vote of confidence next month, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday.

After meeting with his People of Freedom Party, Berlusconi said he ruled out trying to get a second mandate from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano as he did during his 2001-2006 term, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

"Either the government wins the confidence vote or we'll go to early elections," Berlusconi said. "I don't think there's going to be a Berlusconi mark two administration."

If needed, the vote would be Dec. 14.

The alliance between Berlusconi's party and the Northern League is expected to collapse in the House, where the People of Freedom Party lost its majority in July after House Speaker Gianfranco Fini broke away from Berlusconi and established the Future and Freedom for Italy Party.

Relations between Berlusconi and Fini, already stressed for several months, recently blossomed into an outright rivalry. Fini split with the prime minister in July accusing him of undemocratic rule.

Berlusconi expressed confidence Wednesday of surviving the vote, saying he the House "likely" would give him its confidence, ANSA said.