As potential crisis looms, Italians want Berlusconi to go - poll

ROME (Reuters) - Nearly three-quarters of Italians think ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi should be barred from the Senate after a conviction for tax fraud, and a majority want to avert a government crisis over the issue, according to a poll published on Friday.

The issue threatens the survival of the fragile ruling coalition because Berlusconi's supporters have threatened to pull out of Prime Minister Enrico Letta's left-right government if Berlusconi loses his seat.