Berlusconi’s surrender over Enrico Letta’s confidence vote could spell the end of an era in Italian politics

Last week Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta survived a confidence vote in the Italian Senate following a dramatic U-turn by Silvio Berlusconi. James L. Newell writes that the crisis, which began when Berlusconi instructed ministers from his PdL party to resign from the government, has left the former Italian Prime Minister severely weakened. For the first time, Berlusconi has been forced to bow to pressure from his supporters over a major issue, which may well signal the end for his career as a political leader.