Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lashed out Saturday at unions representing Alitalia employees, saying their opposition to a government plan to save the troubled state-controlled airline is politically motivated.

Berlusconi was speaking a day after a group of private Italian investors, CAI, broke off talks with the unions who reject an estimated 7,000 job cuts as specified in the cost-slashing rescue plan.

"This situation worries me very much. I can't understand what is happening and why this suicidal attitude (by the unions) exists," Berlusconi was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.

"There are political motivations that have nothing to do with the needs of the workers," the premier added.

Berlusconi, who was returning to Rome after attending a trade fair in the southern city of Bari, said he intended to intervene "personally" in an effort to save Alitalia from bankruptcy, without providing further details.

Berlusconi campaigned prior to his April election triumph for Alitalia to remain in Italian hands and has championed CAI's bid as an alternative to one made earlier this year by French-Dutch airline Air France-KLM.

Air France-KLM withdrew its bid, which was supported by Italy's previous centre-left government, when it became clear that Berlusconi, once in office, would have opposed it.

It is estimated that Alitalia loses around 2 million euros (2.7 million dollars) a day.