Rome, May 18 (Inditop.com/AKI) Only 41 percent of Italians have “a lot” or “some” faith in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a new survey said Tuesday.

The poll conducted by Ipr Marketing that was published in La Repubblica daily Tuesday, said the result was three percent lower than that of a previous poll conducted a month ago.

The poll conducted in April 2010 said over 55 percent of Italians had “little” or “no faith” in the prime minister.

Internal conflict within Italy’s ruling coalition and economic challenges are said to be the main reasons behind the fall in popularity of the premier.

Berlusconi’s highest approval rating was recorded in October 2008. The poll conducted at that time said 62 percent had “a lot” or “some” confidence in Berlusconi.

In December 2009, Berlusconi’s popularity soared after he was struck in the face with a heavy object at a political rally in Milan, which left the prime minister with two broken teeth and a bloodied nose.

The ministers in Berlusconi’s cabinet are also suffering from static or declining public confidence. According to the poll, of the 22 cabinet members, eight have suffered a fall and the popularity of the 14 others remains unchanged since last year.