ROME-Following Silvio Berlusconi’s recent faux pas on Nazism, the European People’s Party now faces a dilemma whether or not to expel Forza Italia risking defeat in the upcoming elections.

 While the former prime minister’s outrageous statement, meant as an attack on his rival, Martin Schulz, alleging that “according to the Germans, concentration camps never existed” has been openly condemned both within and outside the centre-right political group, the EPP is yet to decide on the course of action to be followed. European Socialists (PES) demand expulsion of Mr Berlusconi’s party, but for the conservatives such a radical move could compromise their chances in the elections to the European Parliament next month.

 The latest opinion polls show the two largest groups neck and neck, with only a small lead for the EPP over the S&D, therefore giving up on 15 to 30 MEPs from Forza Italia could actually decide whether the conservatives will come first or second.

 The result will also determine which of the candidates will succeed José Manuel Barroso as president of the European Commission, and consequently, who will take over the other top EU positions, including European Parliament and European Council presidencies, and the post of foreign affairs representative.

 The EPP candidate for EU Commission president Jean Claude Juncker, Mr Berlusconi’s supposed political ally, was clear in his criticism of Forza Italia leader’s controversial remarks: “Berlusconi’s statements nauseated me,” he said, “I call on him to take them back immediately and apologise to Holocaust survivors and German citizens.”

 Mr Berlusconi, however, does not seem to have any intention of apologising and in response to the criticism he said that his claim “was extrapolated out of context” by “the European left,” in an attempt to ensnare him during the final stages of the electoral campaign. He then added that it was “surreal to call [him] hostile to the German people, [his] friends,” and concluded: “If I'm hostile to something it's counterproductive austerity, and rules and regulations that in my opinion are seriously flawed, which are burdening all of Europe with long-term economic stagnation."