April 20, 2005

Berlusconi Resigns

It's not exactly what you think. This is a procedural resignation, he'll be back as PM right-away. Guardian:

Silvio Berlusconi, faced with mounting criticism over Italy's sluggish economy and its involvement in Iraq, resigned Wednesday as premier but vowed to quickly form a stronger new Cabinet to restore confidence in his leadership.

Resigning and then immediately shuffling the Cabinet is an old trick of Italy's complicated political system, and has been used by premiers to strengthen faltering coalitions.

Berlusconi, who had presided over Italy's longest-serving government since World War II, had so far resisted the move, sensing it would dent his image as a new-style politician. On Wednesday, he suggested he would have preferred not to resign.

Giuliana Sgrena responds to the announcement.

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 04:56 PM | |