Berlusconi is still..Berlusconi

"At this stage it's become his decision. It's become a matter of institutional etiquette. If he makes it, he makes it. If however he doesn't, the institutions have their powers, democracy goes ahead": with these words the Union leader Romano Prodi, arriving at Santi Apostoli, responded to journalists in connection with the fact that Silvio Berlusconi, despite the definite announcement made by the Supreme Court on the centre left's victory, had not yet admitted defeat and telephoned him to recognise his victory, Prodi said that the missing phone call from Berlusconi "is a pity, because these traditions and customs strengthen the democratic system, they're not indispensable but - Prodi concluded - give a sense of style".