Berlusconi to push for 'greater powers' by changes to Italian constitution

Rome (Italy), Mar 22 : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said that he will push for changes in the constitution by referendum to give him greater powers as a 'directly elected president'.

Addressing supporters of his People of Liberty party at a rally in Rome, Berlusconi said that he has planned a "great, great, great reform" in the remaining three years of his term.

The Prime Minister is calling for changes to the judiciary, which he claims is biased against him, a cut in the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) and direct elections for a head of state with expanded powers.

Talking about the investigation being carried out by Magistrates over tapped phone conversations indicating that he had tried to block his critics from appearing on TV shows, Berlusconi said the "leftist" judges and politicians had concocted "a laughable investigation based on the calls.

"We don't often take to the streets, but it was absolutely necessary to defend ourselves from the attacks of the Left and its magistrates," The Times quoted Berlusconi, as saying.

"We are here to have our right to vote guaranteed. With you, love and freedom will win," he added.