Most Italians say Berlusconi unfit to lead

As a vote of confidence on the Italian government’s austerity measures draws near, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s popularity hits new lows.

An opinion poll conducted by the ISPO research group and published by Italy’s leading Corriere della Sera newspaper on Thursday showed Berlusconi’s approval rating dropping from 50 percent about six years ago to 41 percent, Reuters reported.

Moreover, the number of those who doubted Berlusconi’s ability as a leader rose from 48 percent in the last week of May to 57 percent.

The gaffe-prone premier, however, says his internal polls show an approval rating of 63 percent.

The latest opinion poll comes after the media mogul was caught in a scandal in Brazil, where he was entertained by lap dancers during a business visit.

Berlusconi’s rating falls are also blamed on divisions within his coalition government, the planned austerity cuts.

The Italian prime minister has decided to put the 25-billion-euro austerity plan to confidence votes in the both houses of the parliament, describing the decision as “an act of courage.”

“The decision to call the confidence vote on the budget has been an act of courage. If we don’t win, we go home,” Berlusconi said in a television interview on Thursday.

According to Italy’s constitution should the premier lose the vote of confidence, he will have to leave office.

While coalition lawmakers have presented about 1,250 amendments attempting to make the budget cuts more acceptable to voters, the government has refused to make major changes.

The upper house Senate will vote on the austerity plan next week.