Blog: Could the 'old fox' Berlusconi hang on?

So, Silvio Berlusconi has finally confirmed he is leaving. The announcement caught the headlines of the newspapers across the world. And you could almost hear the cheer across Europe.

But Berlusconi has not yet formally resigned, the essential first step before elections are called. The question is when? For he has already hinted at resigning, though at the time few believed this was anything more than a negotiating tactic ahead of a vote in parliament this week to approve the budget. He squeaked through on that vote, but only because the opposition abstained. They didn't want to be blamed for plunging Italy into crisis, but nor were they going to be seen supporting Berlusconi. The vote highlighted the level of unrest within his own party, as 11 MPs decided to rebel....