ROME (Reuters) – Allies of Silvio Berlusconi stepped up their threat on Tuesday to bring down Italy’s government if center-left lawmakers refuse to delay hearings over expelling him from parliament.

ROME (Reuters) – Allies of Silvio Berlusconi stepped up warnings on Tuesday that they would bring down Italy’s unstable ruling coalition if center-left lawmakers refuse to delay a hearing over expelling the billionaire former prime minister from parliament.