|
Silvio Berlusconi resigns as PM
Silvio Berlusconi has resigned as prime minister of Italy, after dominating the country's politics for 17 years.President Giorgio Napolitano accepted his offer and is likely to appoint technocrat Mario Monti his successor. Mr Berlusconi lost his majority amid an acute debt crisis that threatens the eurozone. He promised to go once MPs had approved new austerity measures. Crowds celebrated outside the presidential palace, shouting "buffoon" as he entered. The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says Mr Berlusconi's last journey as prime minister was an undignified one. Police struggled to control a large, hostile crowd which booed and jeered as his convoy swept by, and after his resignation he left by a side exit to avoid the protesters. He said he felt "embittered" after hearing the insults. Posted by: tipper 2011-11-12 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=333289 |