Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday he was exhausted and talked openly about possible defeat on the final day of a long, bitter campaign for the April 9-10 general election.
For much of the campaign Berlusconi has dismissed suggestions he might lose to his rival Romano Prodi, despite the fact his coalition has consistently trailed in the polls because of voter dissatisfaction over the stagnant economy.
But in the past two days he has looked angry, defensive and worn, accusing the judiciary, the press and big business of plotting his demise.
"Well, If I happen to lose, I'll still be in parliament. We would still be strong with 270 lawmakers (in the lower house)," Berlusconi said in an interview with daily Italia Oggi released ahead of official publication on Saturday.
"I am at the limits of my strength. My voice is shredded. I'm keeping going on cortisone ... but I only need a Saturday and Sunday to recover, then on Monday I will be ready to celebrate," he added, signalling he had not given up all hope.
Earlier on Friday, Berlusconi said that if he won he might scrap a tax on rubbish collection, in what his rivals said was a desperate attempt to lure voters after this week's surprise pledge to abolish an unpopular property tax. "Berlusconi is ... basically buying votes by promising tax cuts," said Piero Fassino, head of the biggest party in Prodi's Union coalition.
Berlusconi will end his campaign in the southern city of Naples, where he will hold his first joint rally with his main allies. For their final rally, Prodi and his coalition leaders have chosen Rome's central Piazza del Popolo. (People's Square)
NEW VOTING RULES: A new voting system rushed into law in December means whoever wins the election is certain to enjoy a smaller majority than the outgoing administration, especially in the Senate, which has a vital role in the passing of legislation.
That has raised fears of political instability and will make life more difficult for Italy's next government, with analysts warning that Prodi's broad and unwieldy centre-left bloc could prove particularly vulnerable to internal bickering. Commentators say Berlusconi's recent outbursts, including Thursday's assertion that United Nations observers were needed to prevent his rivals from rigging the vote, polarised Italy and turned the ballot into a referendum on his leadership.
Opposition leaders, appearing increasingly confident of victory, have accused the prime minister of losing his wits.
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