A private dispute spills over into public eye when Matteo Renzi insists the interim premier step aside.
Claims newly recovered documents from America will exonerate him from a devastating tax fraud conviction.
Former P.M. will not consider resigning before upper chamber moves on his ouster, slams "coup d'etat."
Needs to be approved by parliament, where the three-time P.M. still wields enormous influence.
Three-time premier took the floor in an unexpected address after Letta's impassioned plea.
Fears that the U.S. gov't was heading for a shutdown and renewed political instability in Italy jolted markets.
Three-time P.M. vows to prevent Italian left from gaining power despite his conviction for tax fraud and failure to convince Senate colleagues to let him keep seat.
Panel to discuss whether ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi should be stripped of his Senate seat.
Top aides are maneuvering to win a presidential pardon so the ex-premier can avoid a prison term.
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's future is still cloudy.
