Death threats rock Italian campaign

Party steps up security surrounding Berlusconi

ROME, Italy -- Italy's Conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi has cancelled party rallies after receiving death threats in the run-up to Italy's general election.

The media magnate and centre-right candidate for premier, said people close to him and the switchboard of his own villa in Arcore, near Milan, have received threatening calls.

"Some of our legislators have been attacked, some of our party's headquarters ravaged, electoral stands set afire," he said.

Berlusconi said his party recommended increasing security, especially during public appearances before the elections scheduled for May 13.

He has decided to cancel a massive rally to close his party's campaign offices in Milan.

But some sections of the Italian media expressed scepticism about the death threats.

Corriere della Sera reported on Friday that it appeared the conservative leader was trying to steal the limelight as a two-day convention of his opponent, Francesco Rutelli, opened in Rome.

The ANSA news agency quoted sources close to Rutelli as saying that he also had received death threats, one by letter and one by phone, earlier this month.

Berlusconi said the Interior Ministry, as well as police and intelligence officials, were aware of the threats, and cited several documents that he said supported his claims. However, Interior Minister Enzo Bianco said no incidents had been reported.

Berlusconi told a press conference that the office of his Forza Italia party near Rome had been vandalised.

"Leaflets carrying the Red Brigade's star and threatening us to death have been handed out," he added, referring to the symbol of the leftist terrorist group which was active in Italy in the 1970s and 1980s.

While some polls suggest that the gap between the two is narrowing, Berlusconi has remained ahead of Rutelli, a former Rome mayor.

The previous centre-left government enjoyed the unprecedented success of surviving its full five year term -- despite getting through three premiers and four governments. The parliament was only the second in 40 years to serve the five years.

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Parlamento Italiano
Council of Ministers
Rutelli
Berlusconi

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