U.S Looses Italian Allie

[Bonnie]

Berlusconi Will Resign, Form New Gov't


By ALESSANDRA RIZZO

ROME (AP) - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday he would step down but pledged to form a new government - an attempt to strengthen a coalition left weakened by electoral defeat and concerns over a slow economy.

His announcement at the Senate will end Italy's longest-serving government since World War II. Berlusconi had been under pressure to resign since a stinging defeat in regional elections held this month across Italy.

"The regional elections showed a clear sign of discomfort, I want to give an adequate political response," Berlusconi told senators.

He said he would offer his resignation to Italy's president later Wednesday, but added he was confident a new government would relaunch the center-right coalition.


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Once a government resigns, it's up to the Italian president to designate a candidate to try to form a new government. The president is likely to choose Berlusconi.

Berlusconi has been struggling to hold his 4-year-old government together, and a senior coalition partner threatened Tuesday to quit the government.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20050420/D89J65NG0.html