Italian Premier Monti jests Mayan calendar has nothing to do with his government's end
Italian Premier Mario Monti says the impending end of his technical government "was not the fault of the Mayan prophecy."
Monti made the quip following a Christmas Mass with staff on Friday that came as the lower house of Parliament was debating a budget law, the last action to be taken by Monti's year-old government. The Senate approved it Thursday.
Monti pledged to resign as soon as the budget is passed after Silvio Berlusconi yanked support for his government, accelerating national elections now expected in February. The passage could come as early as Friday the last day of the Mayan calendar prompting doomsday predictions.
Monti will give his year-end news conference Sunday, when he is expected to announce whether he will participate in the election campaign.
Posted by: tipper 2012-12-21 |