Naples, 10 Nov. (AKI) - An Italian government minister from the southern region of Campania is facing arrest for alleged collusion with the local mafia known as the Camorra. Nicola Cosentino is the deputy secretary for economy and finance, and regional coordinator of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PdL).

Naples prosecutor Raffaele Piccirillo has authorised an arrest order for Cosentino which is expected to proceed to the lower house of parliament for authorisation on Tuesday.

Italian media reports said it was not clear whether authorities would seek imprisonment, house arrest or other action.

Cosentino (photo) is being investigated for his alleged contacts with the Casalesi clan.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi's lawyer and People of Freedom (PdL) MP Niccolo Ghedini defended Cosentino.

"Nicola Cosentino has always carried out his political career with honesty and passion," he said on Tuesday.

"The accusations seem to be incredible and inconsistent, as many investigations had been announced through the media a long time ago, with the aim of discrediting him so he would not be considered a good candidate to head the region of Campania," said Ghedini on Tuesday.

People of Freedom party spokesman said Daniele Capezzone said the action regarding Cosentino would be remembered because it "marks another step in the degeneration of the civil and political life of the country."