国际英语新闻：Italy's Berlusconi launches pre-election campaign

ROME, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday launched an informal pre-electoral campaign aimed at rallying supporters for the possible election in autumn.

"It's time that everyone knows all the work we have accomplished in these two years and for this reason you must become the government's megaphone in the country," Berlusconi wrote in a message sent to the Club of Freedom, a political association linked to his People of Freedom Party.

He appealed to all fans who "believe in the values of liberty," and urged them to "go to the 8,100 piazzas of Italy's cities and inform people by spreading awareness on the government's actions."

Berlusconi no longer enjoys a stable majority at the lower House after House Speaker Gianfranco Fini ended a 16-year alliance with him and created a new party.

The prime minister's letter, posted on the Club of Freedom website amid mounting political tension, proves that he prefers an early election ahead of 2013, when the current legislature expires.

Berlusconi also praised what his government has accomplished in the last months, especially the tough austerity budget passed to stabilize the country's public finances.