THE RELATIONSHIP between former allies Silvio Berlusconi and Gianfranco Fini has been suffering of late.

The two men, who set up Italy’s ruling People of Liberty Party together, have started a very public war of words that is threatening to tear the governmnet apart.

Prime Minister Berlusconi previously announced that he would not run for the presidency again, essentially leaving the spot open to two possible successors: Gianfranco Fini and Umberto Bossi.

The three men each represent a different face of Italian politics. Fini, (originally a neo-Facist) has moved towards a central ideology; Bossi runs the hard-line xenophobic Northern League; Berlusconi is populist and right-of-centre.

It was hoped that the succession would be a dignified affair – but the transition is shaping up to be a little more interesting.

Fini launched an stinging attack on Berlusconi on live television last week, an event that comes after other loosely veiled attacks on the premiere and a significant withdraw of support on policies.

Fini has of late been calling for “greater morality” in government and the resignations of officials who have been implicated in judicial investigations.

Berlsconi has recently been accused of involvement in a string of corruption and sex scandals.

He has also called for a revision Berlusconi’s new bill, which would prevent the police and the media from using wiretaps on politicians’ phones.

The future of the government is now hanging in the balance, as the seemingly irreversible weakening of the coalition party may force early elections: Fini commands the support of 50 members of parliament – he chooses, or is forced, to leave the party he could bring enough MPs with him to require early elections.