His critics in the PdL, under its co-founder Gianfranco Fini, have a new cause the resignation of Mr Verdini (already a suspect in two corruption investigations).
Denis Verdini, a national co-ordinator for the PdL, continues to enjoy the prime minister's support, despite the fact that the bank he headed until July has been placed in special administration, with regulators reporting irregularities and potential conflicts of interest.