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Mr Berlusconi (left) is assured the support of allies like Umberto Bossi (right)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made a plea for national unity, ahead of a vote of confidence in his government.
He warned his opponents that any attempt to bring down the government would risk "a period of instability".
Italian politics has been dogged in recent months by bitter rows, with Mr Berlusconi's former ally Gianfranco Fini and other MPs defecting.
But Mr Fini's new faction indicated it would back the government in the vote.
That should be enough to keep the government in office.
In his speech Mr Berlusconi set out plans to reform the justice system, increase the fiscal autonomy of Italy's regions, fight organised crime and illegal immigration, and support the poor south of Italy.
But he also called for an end to the divisive politics recently seen in Rome.
"It is absolutely in the interests of our country not to risk a period of instability in this moment where the crisis is not yet over," he said.
His policy programme seemed to satisfy Mr Fini's breakaway group, whose members indicated they would support the government, at least for now.
"We're going to say yes at the confidence vote," said Andrea Ronchi, a senior Fini ally.
Meanwhile, opponents of Mr Berlusconi are gathering their forces on the streets.
A demonstration on Wednesday protesting against austerity measures is thought likely to be just the curtain-raiser for a bigger "No Berlusconi" day on Saturday.
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Mr Berlusconi (left) is assured the support of allies like Umberto Bossi (right) Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made a plea for national unity, ahead of a vote of confidence in his government.
He warned his opponents that any attempt to bring down the government would risk "a period of instability".
Italian politics has been dogged in recent months by bitter rows, with Mr Berlusconi's former ally Gianfranco Fini and other MPs defecting.
But Mr Fini's new faction indicated it would back the government in the vote.
That should be enough to keep the government in office.
In his speech Mr Berlusconi set out plans to reform the justice system, increase the fiscal autonomy of Italy's regions, fight organised crime and illegal immigration, and support the poor south of Italy.
But he also called for an end to the divisive politics recently seen in Rome.
"It is absolutely in the interests of our country not to risk a period of instability in this moment where the crisis is not yet over," he said.
His policy programme seemed to satisfy Mr Fini's breakaway group, whose members indicated they would support the government, at least for now.
"We're going to say yes at the confidence vote," said Andrea Ronchi, a senior Fini ally.
Meanwhile, opponents of Mr Berlusconi are gathering their forces on the streets.
A demonstration on Wednesday protesting against austerity measures is thought likely to be just the curtain-raiser for a bigger "No Berlusconi" day on Saturday.
This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.