Italy's Berlusconi says will back protege for PM
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Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures before the taping of the talk show Telecamere at Rai television in Rome January 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
ROME (AFP) - Italy's Silvio Berlusconi on Monday said he would back his protege Angelino Alfano to be the next prime minister if the centre-right coalition he leads wins next month's general election.
"If we win as a coalition, and I am sure we will, we will indicate Angelino Alfano as candidate for prime minister," Mr Berlusconi told news channel SkyTG24.
There have been weeks of uncertainty over whether Mr Berlusconi is really running for prime minister or not and his comments have been highly ambiguous.
Mr Berlusconi said his coalition ally, the populist Northern League party, agreed with the choice of Mr Alfano, a former justice minister under Mr Berlusconi.
