• Another one bites the dust - Silvio Berlusconi resigns
    1 replies, posted
[release][img]http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/111112-berlusconi-hmed-11a.grid-6x2.jpg[/img] [B][U]Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, right, speaks with Equal Opportunity Minister Mara Carfagna, left, and Tourism Minister Michela Vittoria Brambilla during a debate on a package of economic reforms at the lower house of the Parliament on Saturday.[/U][/B] Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi resigned Saturday after parliament's lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis. A chorus of Handel's "Alleluia," performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president's palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at the end of Berlusconi's scandal-marred reign. Hecklers shouted "Buffoon, Buffoon!" as Berlusconi's motorcade entered and exited the presidential palace, where he tendered his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano, the palace said in a statement. Respected former European commissioner Mario Monti remained the top choice to try to steer the country out of its debt woes as the head of a transitional government, but Berlusconi's allies remained split over whether to support him. Their opposition wasn't expected to scuttle Napolitano's plans to ask Monti to try to form an interim government once Berlusconi resigns, but it could make Monti's job more difficult. Napolitano is expected to hold consultations Sunday with all of Italy's political forces before proceeding with his expected nomination of Monti. Late Saturday, Berlusconi's party said it would support Monti, albeit with conditions. [img]http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/reuters/2011-11-12t204932z_1_btre7ab1lun00_rtroptp_3_italy-crisis.grid-6x2.jpg[/img] [B][U]A woman holds up an Italian flag with a placard displaying a picture of outgoing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in front of the presidential palace on Saturday. [/U][/B] Berlusconi's resignation was set in motion after the Chamber of Deputies, with a vote Saturday of 380-26 with two abstentions, approved economic reforms which include increasing the retirement age starting in 2026 but do nothing to open up Italy's inflexible labor market. The Senate approved it a day earlier and Napolitano signed the legislation Saturday afternoon, paving the way for Berlusconi to leave office as he promised to do after losing his parliamentary majority earlier in the week. He chaired his final Cabinet meeting Saturday evening. Berlusconi stood as lawmakers applauded him in the parliament chamber immediately after the vote. But outside his office and in front of government palazzos across town, hundreds of curiosity-seekers massing to witness the final hours of his government heckled him and his ministers. "Shame!" and "Get Out!" the crowds yelled, many toting "Bye Bye Silvio Party" posters as they marched through downtown Rome in a festive indication that for many Italians, like financial markets, the time had come for Berlusconi to go. Demonstrators chanting "resign, resign, resign" also gathered outside the prime minister's office and parliament, heckling ministers as they walked between the two buildings. A small group of pro-Berlusconi demonstrators gathered outside his residence but were outnumbered by opponents. "This is something that deeply saddens me," the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Berlusconi as telling aides. [/release] Source: [url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45267590/ns/world_news-europe/#.Tr7o-vJZcs0]MSNBC[/url]
Now he can go back to finishing off his album and enjoying his bunga bunga parties in peace.
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