Italian PM launches "Freedom Teams" to increase consensus

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday launched the so-called "Freedom Teams," aimed at increasing consensus by spreading awareness on his government's performance.

Following a rift with his former ally, House Speaker Gianfranco Fini, Berlusconi is already preparing the ground for an electoral campaign, as the country may have to face an early vote in autumn if the majority collapses.

After an internal meeting with his People of Freedom party's supporter clubs, Berlusconi announced the creation of an "army" ready to manage the country's 60,000 electoral sections and root the party on the territory, in Italy's piazzas and streets.

The "Freedom Teams" will be composed of volunteers who will travel to inform citizens on everything the government has accomplished in the past two years.

An online recruitment procedure has already been launched on Facebook by Berlusconi's fan clubs coordinators.

On Friday the premier's party approved a strategic five-point document to be presented to parliament in September, on which Berlusconi plans to put a vote of confidence, to test the solidity of his majority.

The prime minister has said that if he loses the vote, the only alternative would be early elections by December.

Source: Xinhua