Berlusconi resigns as Italy's prime minister

2011-11-13 10:07:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME (BNO NEWS) -- Silvio Berlusconi resigned as Italy's prime minister on Saturday evening after economic reforms to appease financial markets were approved, the government said. He is likely to be succeeded by Mario Monti.

Berlusconi had announced on Tuesday that he would submit his resignation after the Italian Parliament approves austerity measures sought by the European Union. This happened on Saturday afternoon when the lower house gave their final approval to some of the measures.

Within hours, Berlusconi met with President Giorgio Napolitano at Quirinal Palace. "Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, who, having completed the parliamentary process of examination and approval of the stability law and the State budget forecast, has resigned from the government he chairs," a statement from the president's office said.

The announcement was greeted with cheers by crowds who had gathered at the presidential palace. Berlusconi had repeatedly rejected opposition calls for his resignation, despite being hit by numerous sex and corruption scandals as well as local election and referendum defeats.

The resignation paves the way for a new government of technocrats, likely to be led by Mario Monti who was recently named Senator for life in the Italian Senate. He is expected to be installed within days after Napolitano holds consultations on Sunday.

Berlusconi, who won several parliamentary confidence votes, led Italy as prime minister since May 2008. Before that, he served as prime minister from May 1994 until January 1995 and from June 2001 until May 2006. He also held several positions as minister.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-11-13

That north African gal that he got in trouble with recently - wow, what a dishette!

I'd threaten my career (if I had one) to rock and roll with a lass like that.

Corrupt leaders seem to be falling like flies these days. Must be global warming.