Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi voiced defiance yesterday saying he would stay in power until his mandate runs out in 2013 despite crushing defeats in local elections and a round of referendums.

“I’m sure the government will come out of this stronger than before,” the 74-year-old leader said, rejecting recent calls for his resignation as “propaganda” and left-wing irresponsibility which threatened to spark a political crisis that would be disastrous for Italy’s economy.

“We firmly intend to implement our governing programme until 2013,” said the three-time Prime Minister.

Shrugging off a sharp drop in popularity in recent weeks, the premier said no opposition party or leader could replace him.

Mr Berlusconi took comfort in the symbolic victory of winning a confidence vote called by the government on a Bill earlier yesterday.

The Premier called for unity after a trouncing in mid-June referendums that left the government on the back foot by wiping out his plans to return Italy to nuclear power and quashing a partial immunity law designed to keep him out of court.

The defeat was a second blow to the embattled premier in less than a month, after his party lost critical mayoral votes in Milan and Naples in May.

The embarrassing setbacks have led to tensions within the government, with Mr Berlusconi’s coalition partner – the populist Northern League party – on Sunday issuing a series of demands to be met in exchange for its continued support.

Mr Berlusconi dismissed reports of a split as a ploy by the opposition to undermine the government: “I have a strong friendship with the League. They have tried everything to split us up, but they will never succeed,” he said.