Out of 10, my fury is registering nine-and-a-half

Opposition leader Francesco Rutelli

The debate comes only three days after a new board of governors was appointed at Italy's state broadcaster, RAI, by Mr Berlusconi's parliamentary allies.

The new line-up has sparked claims that Mr Berlusconi - who already has a vast private media empire - could now be in a stronger position to influence state broadcasting. Critics say 90% of all Italian television is now, in effect, in his grip.

The parliamentary debate follows an election pledge from Mr Berlusconi to bring in legislation to deal with any potential conflict between his political interests and his vast business empire, which includes Italy's most popular commercial TV channels.

But the draft legislation has been criticised as ineffective and biased.

This board is another step towards a single television and single advertising

Giuseppe Giuletti Democrats of the Left

It proposes that a commission of nominated politicians should monitor potential conflicts of interest and have the power to report them to parliament.

But opponents say that the laws have too narrow a focus and that there are no real penalties. They also say the commission would be unlikely to take action against the government.

TV fury

That is an accusation which has also been levelled at the new board of RAI.

RAI board members

Antonio Baldassarre, chair - ex-president of constitutional court Marco Straderini - media executive and Christian Democrat Ettore Albertoni - Milan culture commissioner, Berlusconi ally Carmine Donzelli - publisher affiliated to the left Luigi Zanda - organised Rome's Jubilee 2000 with opposition leader Francesco Rutelli

But the new chairman of the five-member board, has insisted that he will uphold the broadcaster's independence.

"I will try to carry out my task with the greatest impartiality," said Antonio Baldassarre, a former president of the constitutional court. "I am a person without a party," he said.

But others say he has close ties with the post-fascist National Alliance, the second biggest party in Mr Berlusconi's coalition.

The other board members are split between the left and right.

The left-wing opposition has been outraged by the choices.

"This board is another step towards a single television and single advertising," said Giuseppe Giuletti, communications spokesman for the Democrats of the Left.

"Out of 10, my fury is registering nine-and-a-half," said opposition leader Francesco Rutelli.

The left is set to oppose bitterly the conflict of interest legislation which is due to be put to a vote on Thursday.