Show of unity steadies lira
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ROME (Reuter) - The battered Italian lira held steady in edgy trading yesterday after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's show of coalition unity over the weekend, which was aimed at calming nervous financial markets.
But in a sign that the media tycoon's honeymoon with the electorate may be over, a poll showed 55.1 per cent of Italians were dissatisfied with his government's performance.
The embattled Mr Berlusconi, who made up with Northern League leader Umberto Bossi - his most troublesome coalition partner - at the weekend, repeated that there was no alternative to his conservative administration.
The lira, which fell to record lows on Friday due to worries about the domestic political outlook, was little changed in trading in London, but dealers and financial analysts said they remained wary about the future.
''The fact that they appear to have patched up their differences is fine,' said Clayton Perry, an analyst for merchant bank Credit Suisse First Boston.
'But the problems run deeper than can be solved in a single meeting and the markets are remaining on edge.'
In a move some commentators dubbed 'spaghetti diplomacy', Mr Bossi and Mr Berlusconi ironed out their differences in a meeting in the small hours of Saturday, which ended with the two men eating a plate of pasta at 5am.
Their arms draped around each other's shoulders, Mr Berlusconi and Mr Bossi pledged their commitment to stable government.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments