A deputy minister loyal to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right rival Gianfranco Fini resigned from the government today, the first of four Fini loyalists due to quit their government posts.
A statement from the industry ministry said Deputy Minister Adolfo Urso had resigned.
His resignation is expected to be followed shortly by that of a minister and two undersecretaries loyal to Fini.
This will not immediately affect Berlusconi's ability to govern but sharply underlines the crisis that has raised the prospect of an early election in the coming months.
