Berlusconi the winner - "from a moral point of view"

reuters: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's hopes of overturning his election loss were dashed on Friday when it emerged there were not enough disputed ballot papers to swing victory back from his rival, Romano Prodi.

But the media tycoon, who has refused to concede defeat after the centre-left won a razor-thin majority in April 9-10 national elections, remained defiant and said he was still hopeful his coalition could somehow prevail.

"They have not won yet and I think that from a moral point of view we are the winners," Berlusconi told Sky Italia Television in an interview.

"I am waiting with bated breath, like half of Italy ... for these blessed results to come out because the numbers given by the Interior Ministry are provisional. We are still very hopeful," said Berlusconi, adding he was a fighter. Read more