Referendums pose test for Italian PM Berlusconi

Italians could hand another blow to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s leadership in four referendums being held on Sunday.

The premier suffered huge local election losses last month and now voters are to have their say on some of his key policies — among them the revival of nuclear energy.

There are also two votes on the privatisation of Italian water utilities and another on whether Berlusconi and other top ministers can evade court duties due to official duties.

Defeat could spell the beginning of end for Berlusconi.

On Friday, British magazine The Economist attacked Berlusconi’s economic record putting the premier on its front cover with the headline: “The Man Who Screwed An Entire Country.”

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