Berlusconi party abstains in gov't confidence vote

[December 06, 2012]  ROME (AP) -- Lawmakers belonging to Silvio Berlusconi's center-right party have abstained in a confidence vote in the government of Premier Mario Monti, raising questions over its future.

Though the government won the vote Thursday by 127-17, investors feared the move may herald a period of political uncertainty in the run-up to planned elections next year.

The Milan stock exchange fell sharply with the benchmark FTSE MIB trading 1 percent lower at 15,795.

Political parties are gearing up for elections next year to replace Monti's year-old government.

Berlusconi has been hinting at a comeback, after earlier saying he would leave the party to a younger candidate. The center-left has been energized by a lively primary that saw party secretary Pier Luigi Bersani win the nomination.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.