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Silvio Berlusconi's closest coalition ally Umberto Bossi told him to resign on Tuesday in what could be a mortal blow to the Italian prime minister.

Bossi, head of the devolutionist Northern League, said the 75-year-old media magnate should be replaced by Angelino Alfano, secretary of the premier's PDL party.

Berlusconi has until now remained defiant ahead of a key parliamentary vote on Tuesday afternoon, refusing calls from all sides to step down, but Bossi's call could tip the balance against him.

The League, together with many members of the PDL, are believed to want Berlusconi to makeway for a new center-right government capable of facing a huge economic crisis and restoring the confidence of markets without handing power to a transitional administration.

Earlier, in another sign of Berlusconi's sliding grip on power, five PDL rebels said they wouldnot take part in the vote on public financing on Tuesday afternoon, putting his majority in serious danger.

However, the center-left opposition also said it would not vote to expose the weakness of Berlusconi's support while allowing the passage of a vital measure for state financing.

This means the measure will likely pass, but Berlusconi could be exposed to a humiliatingly low vote that would ratchet up the pressure to topple him.

But Berlusconi, who has dominated Italian politics for 17 years, has refused appeals from all sides to step down despite stark signs that he has lost the confidence of markets.

Speaking before the latest defections, Berlusconi said he had won back enough party rebels to win the vote and he would then table roll-call confidence motions on sweeping economic reforms promised to fellow European leaders.

"I want to look those who want to betray me in the face," he said.

If Berlusconi's support falls below around 310 votes in the 630-seat lower house, he will face massive pressure to go. Current calculations seem to put him well below that number.

The opposition says it will likely then table a no-confidence motion which could be held this week.

However, even if Berlusconi goes, there is no guarantee that reforms to cut Italy's massive debt and boost growth will be quickly implemented.

Berlusconi says the only alternative to the present government are elections early next year -which would extend the period of drift, although some analysts say calling of polls would at least establish a point of certainty, as it did in fellow eurozone peripheral economy Spain.

Questions:

1. How old is Berlusconi?

2. Why does The League want Berlusconi to makeway for a new center-right government?

3. How long has Berlusconi dominated Italian politics for?

Answers:

1. 75.

2. It would be capable of facing a huge economic crisis and restoring the confidence of markets without handing power to a transitional administration.

3. 17 years.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.