国际英语新闻：Italian PM Berlusconi confident his gov't could survive current political crisis

ROME, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday expressed optimism that the government would survive the current political crisis without the need of an early vote.

The situation seemed to have cooled down after a meeting with his ally Umberto Bossi, leader of the Northern League Party.

In a message sent to the supporters of his People of Freedom's Party, Berlusconi said the "government will carry on with its work " and remain faithful to the mandate handed down by Italy's voters.

"Going back on this is impossible," the premier stressed.

According to Berlusconi, the rift with his former ally Gianfranco Fini, House speaker, will eventually mend without the need of calling for early elections or launching last-minute emergency alliances with other parties external to the government, including the Centrist Union of Pierferdinando Casini.

Berlusconi thus succeeded in calming down his infuriated ally Bossi.