100 lawmakers demand Berlusconi's resignation

A group composed of some 100 centre-right Italian lawmakers called today for Silvio Berlusconi to resign, as the prime minister prepares for key confidence votes in parliament this month.

"The deputies ... agree on the need to ensure the country has a solid and stable government to face up to the grave social and economic crisis," a statement published after a meeting of five centre-right parties.

The anti-Berlusconi group is made up of allies of former Berlusconi loyalist turned bitter rival Gianfranco Fini, two rebel deputies from Berlusconi's own People of Freedom party, as well as three small parties.

The Italian parliament's lower house has 630 seats.

Berlusconi is believed to have minority support in the Chamber following Fini's defection earlier this year, which has triggered the confidence votes that are due to be held in the lower and upper houses of parliament.