Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has resigned, but says he will soon put together a new coalition.
He told the upper house of parliament that his party had a mandate to lead until 2006 and it would do so.
President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi asked him to stay on as caretaker prime minister, urging talks with allies.
Mr Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition – Italy’s longest serving post-war government – was rocked by poor results in recent regional elections.
Following a 40-minute meeting with the president, Mr Berlusconi told reporters he would move quickly to form a new coalition.
His government was plunged into crisis last week when the smallest of the four parties in the coalition, the Union of Christian Democrats, withdrew its four ministers.
Reached for comment, a jubilant Giuliana Sgrena noted that “today’s events totally vindicate my cause and prove once and for all my thrilling cloak-and-dagger tale of daring escape and American intelligence malfeasance.” When reminded that Berlusconi’s resignation did no such thing, Ms Sgrena shot back, “are you trying to assassinate me? You’re trying to assassinate me, aren’t you. You filthy murdering imperialist swine dog.
“I AM A VICTIM!”
Bummer that, I kinda liked ole Silvio, he seemed to be one of the few conservative counter weights in the EU. Yes, I know he will probably be tried for corruption once they get to repealing the law he made that forbid anyone from trying him for corruption, but I still think he was one of the sane lone voices in the wilderness of insanity that is the EU.
Backed us up in Iraq, told Chirac he was an idiot quite a few times, and generally was well liked around Washington.
Silvio, we hardly knew ye! Enjoy Tuscany I guess…
I’ll have to drink some Brunello di Montalcino in toast to Silvio tonight.
Speaking only as the filthy murdering imperialist swine dog that I am, too bad the wrong Italian got tapped in that car speeding toward the roadblock.
Dude, when you’re not speaking truth to power you’re mind-reading.
Some mistakes are correctable.
Spambuster: try
again?
Kelly: I love brunellos. I’ve actually been to the town of Montalcino. Two words: wine heaven.
Beck,
Shouldn’t you be asleep at that hour? Heavens, child!
Anyway, I gotta get myself over there as well. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that after 25 years of serious consumition and collecting of wine, I’m just now appreciating the awesome Italian stuff.
Cheers!
Consumption! Damn it, get it right!