Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s party has given strong indications that he will run for office again next year.
The People of Freedom (PDL) party has cancelled its leadership primary and a senior figure said Mr Berlusconi would run for PM again.
Earlier on Thursday the party abstained from confidence votes in parliament.
Prime Minister Mario Monti’s government won votes in both houses, but the move plunged Italy into uncertainty.
Mr Berlusconi resigned in 2011 over Italy’s economic troubles and was convicted of tax fraud in October of this year.
Despite this, the PDL’s Secretary General Angelino Alfano was quoted in Italian media as saying the 76-year-old would run again.
Mr Berlusconi himself also said on Wednesday that he was being “assailed by requests” to return to politics.
He has already served as Italy’s prime minister for three separate terms and built up what is believed to be a vast personal fortune from his business empire.
